Goal: Export translations from your Shopify store into a spreadsheet, make edits, and import them back using Altera. This method supports a format similar to Matrixify, making it easier to group products and identify translation keys compared to the native Shopify export.
Video walkthrough: Watch the 4-minute video
Prerequisites:
You have Altera installed on your Shopify store
You have languages set up in your Shopify store (Settings > Languages)
Step 1 - Create a New Export
In the Altera app, click New Export.
Step 2 - Select Translations
Under the Select Data section, click on Translations.
Step 3 - Configure Export Options
Select the language you want to export (e.g., French) from the dropdown menu. You can also apply filters, such as Product Status or Product Tag, to export specific items if needed.
Step 4 - Download the Export File
Click Start Export. Once the export is complete, click Download Output to save the Excel or CSV file to your computer.
Step 5 - Edit Translations in the Spreadsheet
Open the downloaded file. You will see columns compatible with Shopify's format, along with additional helper columns:
Parent Type Group: Helps group multiple translation keys for a single product or resource.
Handle: The resource handle (e.g., product handle or metafield key) for easier identification.
The file will also contain columns needed for the import like:
ID: The Shopify ID of the resource.
Identification: Same as the ID column but allows importing directly into the Shopify admin.
Default Content: The content in the primary language.
Translated Content: The column where you add or edit translations.
Add your translations to the Translated Content column and save the file.
Step 6 - Import the Translations
Back in Altera, click New Import. Upload your edited file.
Step 7 - Start the Import
Review the file analysis. The app may show a warning for new features; verify your data is correct. Click Start Import.
Outcome
Your translations are now updated in Shopify. You can verify this in the Shopify Admin or using the Translate & Adapt app.
Market-Scoped Translations
Shopify Markets allow you to have different translations for different markets. For example, you might want different French translations for a France market versus a Canada market.
To export market-scoped translations, add a Market filter when configuring your export. This will export only the market-scoped translations for that market, and only for languages enabled on that market. Select All Markets to export market-scoped translations for every market at once. To get both global and market-scoped translations, run two exports: one without a market filter (global) and one with the market filter.
To import market-scoped translations, add a Market column to your spreadsheet. Enter the market name (e.g., "Belgium") for rows that should be scoped to a specific market. Leave the Market column empty for global translations that apply to all markets.
The Market column accepts market names, numeric IDs, or full Shopify GIDs.
Example
Type | Identification | Parent Type Group | Handle | Locale | Market | Key | Default Content | Translated Content |
TRANSLATION | ... | Product | my-product | fr | title | My Product | Mon Produit | |
TRANSLATION | ... | Product | my-product | fr | Belgium | title | My Product | Mon Produit Belge |