Using WPML to generate multilingual PDF documents

Table of Contents

If you’re new to WPML, we suggest taking a look at their Getting Started Guide to learn more about the different translation options available. This document is up-to-date with WPML 4.7.

Requirements #

The activation status can be observed at WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Pro, then scrolling down to Multilingual settings.

Multilingual options #

All document settings are saved in the WooCommerce order meta. These multilingual settings keep existing even if WPML is uninstalled.

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > General

Since this adds the ability to set a different shop logo per language (language locale), it becomes possible to add similar shop logos fitting the language, to truly reach a multilingual shop feeling.

Examples #

The images below represent an example of multilingual-friendly logos in Spanish and German:

  • Example – Logo set for Spanish:
  • Example – Logo set for German:

Shop Name #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > General

Note that the Shop Name setting is selected in French:

Result on document in French:

Shop Name setting selected in German:

Result for document in German:

Shop Address #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > General
  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > General

Extra template fields #

Document title #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to Document title.

PDF filename #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to PDF filename.

Document number label #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to Document number label.

Document date label #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to Document date label.

Due date label #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to Due date label.

VAT number label #

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to VAT number label.

For the VAT number label of the Shop.

COC number label #

For the Spanish Chamber of Commerce.

  • Path: WooCommerce > PDF Invoices > Documents, select the document type then scroll to COC number label.

Address customization #

Enjoy different address structures based on your document language.

The fields to overwrite the Billing Address:

Similar to above, the fields to overwrite the Shipping Address:

String Translation #

Path: WPML > String Translation.
Useful if:

  • You want to edit a translation to your liking.
  • You are using the PDF Customizer, as these strings might not be automatically translated. This could be a custom note added to the PDF by the admin.

Look for a string that appears on the PDF #

It is important to note the domain of a search result of a string (domain column). This is the origin of the string, which is important as to not translate the wrong string, in case of identical strings in the search results.
The strings on the PDF mainly come from:

  • woocommerce-pdf-invoices-packing-slips
  • wpo_wcpdf_pro
  • wpo_wcpdf_templates
  • woocommerce

Keep in mind that our plugin is very flexible and the strings could come from various plugins.

Search for the string in the WPML String translation dashboard.

The icons on the right of the search result must be clicked in order to edit the translation of the selected language.

Now viewing the PDF in French, the edited language:

Translating strings entered via the PDF Customizer #

When searching for strings entered via the PDF Customizer, in the search results, their domain will be ‘wpo_wcpdf_templates‘.

Troubleshooting #

Check the domain #

Check the domain column of the search results, for the string you are looking for. Identical strings will have different domains, as the domain tells us the plugin from which the string originates.

Not finding the strings you want? #

Using WPML 4.7 #

Path: WPML > String Translation > Utilities > Not seeing strings that you are looking for? > Admin Texts Translation

From the Admin Texts Translation screen, it is possible to search for strings that have not been added to the translation table. The search results will contain a ‘State’ column. This column will likely contain ‘Not included in String Translation‘ for your given result. Select the result you want, then click the ‘Add to String Translation‘ button.

Using WPML 4.6 (legacy) #

  1. Go to WPML > String Translation and scroll down to Auto register strings for translation. Check the box to enable Look for strings while pages are rendered.
  2. Create a PDF document.
  3. Search for the custom strings in the String Translation table and enter the translations for each string.

The Auto register strings for translation feature automatically disables after two hours, but it may slow down your site. We suggest turning it off once you’ve found your strings.

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