Aaron Edwards

Tired of your custom plugin and theme translation files getting wiped out every time you use the WordPress auto-updater? Install and activate this plugin and 
WordPress will look for missing translation files in the WP_LANG_DIR where you keep your WordPress translation files.
<h4>UPDATE</h4>
In WordPress 3.8 and greater this plugin’s functionality is included in core. You can put translation files in: 
* Plugins: /wp-content/languages/plugins/textdomain-locale.mo 
* Themes: /wp-content/languages/themes/textdomain-locale.mo
A free plugin by Aaron Edwards of <a href="http://uglyrobot.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">UglyRobot Web Development</a>.

Translation Preserver

A simple plugin that helps preserve your custom plugin translations through auto-updates by allowing you to put them in your WP languages folder.

Tim W

Loco Translate provides in-browser editing of WordPress translation files and integration with automatic translation services.
It also provides Gettext/localization tools for developers, such as extracting strings and generating templates.
Features include:
<ul>
<li>Built-in translation editor within WordPress admin</li>
<li>Integration with translation APIs including DeepL, Google, Lecto, Microsoft and OpenAI.</li>
<li>Create and update language files directly in your theme or plugin</li>
<li>Extraction of translatable strings from your source code</li>
<li>Native MO file compilation without the need for Gettext on your system</li>
<li>JSON (Jed) file compilation compatible with WordPress script localization</li>
<li>Support for standard PO features including comments, references and plural forms</li>
<li>PO source view with clickable source code references</li>
<li>Protected language directory for saving custom translations</li>
<li>Configurable PO file backups with diff and restore capability</li>
<li>Built-in WordPress locale codes</li>
</ul>
Official <a href="https://localise.biz/" rel="nofollow ugc">Loco</a> WordPress plugin by Tim Whitlock. 
For more information please visit our <a href="https://localise.biz/wordpress/plugin" rel="nofollow ugc">plugin page</a>.
<h3>Keyboard shortcuts</h3>
The PO file editor supports the following keyboard shortcuts for faster translating:
<ul>
<li>Done and Next: <code>Ctrl ↵</code></li>
<li>Next string: <code>Ctrl ↓</code></li>
<li>Previous string: <code>Ctrl ↑</code></li>
<li>Next untranslated: <code>Shift Ctrl ↓</code></li>
<li>Previous untranslated: <code>Shift Ctrl ↑</code></li>
<li>Copy from source text: <code>Ctrl B</code></li>
<li>Clear translation: <code>Ctrl K</code></li>
<li>Toggle Fuzzy: <code>Ctrl U</code></li>
<li>Save PO / compile MO: <code>Ctrl S</code></li>
<li>Toggle invisibles: <code>Shift Ctrl I</code></li>
<li>Suggest translation: <code>Ctrl J</code></li>
</ul>
Mac users can use ⌘ Cmd instead of Ctrl.

Loco Translate

must have


Great plugin. Very useful to be able to translate plugins without an external tool like poedit.


Great tool

I'm using it in all one language projects


We recommend this to all of our clients who ask about translations.



It can even be used to "translate" (alter) default English texts within a plugin/theme too.


Awesome Plugin

Great support!


A must-have plugin for managing the lifecycle of translations in custom plugins and themes. 



There's a steep learning curve to climb when it comes to language and translation management. This plugin helps a lot and works really well.



Also impressed with the speed of response to my help topic. Thanks Tim!


Excellent plugin and support

Translate WordPress plugins and themes directly in your browser. Versatile PO file editor with integrated AI translation providers.

Translation Preserver vs Loco Translate