Each language of a store is its own store view. Text - product names and descriptions, categories, pages, meta data - is entered for each language separately, while prices and stock are shared. A translation is therefore not a separate page: you open the same product or page, switch to the other language at the top left and enter its text there.
Almost every setting and every piece of text in the admin exists on three levels: for the whole installation, for the website and for each store view (language). When a change "does not take" or only applies in one language, the cause is almost always the wrong level.
Three levels
| Level | Label on the field | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Default Config | [GLOBAL] | applies everywhere unless a lower level says otherwise |
| Website | [WEBSITE] | shared by all languages of this shop (prices, stock, payment methods) |
| Store view | [STORE VIEW] | one language (names, descriptions, meta data, images, text) |
The label in square brackets below the field name tells you at which level the field can differ. A field labelled [GLOBAL] has the same value everywhere; a field labelled [STORE VIEW] can have its own value in each language.
The scope switcher
On configuration, product, category and design pages there is a switcher at the top left. On configuration pages it says Default Config, on a product All Store Views. Click it to choose a website or a store view.
The Use system value checkbox
On configuration pages there is a checkbox to the right of each field. In Default Config it says Use system value, at website level Use Default, and at store view level Use Website. While it is ticked, the field inherits the value from the level above and is locked. To set your own value, untick it, enter the value and save.
The Use Default Value checkbox
For products, categories and blocks, in a store view (language) a Use Default Value checkbox appears below the field. When ticked, the language uses the text from All Store Views. To translate, untick it and enter the text in that language.
Translating a product or a page step by step
Open the product, category or page you are translating.
In the switcher at the top left choose the language (on a product it says All Store Views) and confirm the question about switching. The page reloads for that language.
For every field you are translating, untick Use Default Value and enter the text in that language: name, short description, description, or the content of a page.
Open the Search Engine Optimization section as well and translate Meta Title and Meta Description. This is the text Google shows in that language.
Click Save and check the page in the storefront in that language.
Three typical cases
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| I corrected the product description, but the English shop still shows the old one | the English store view has its own text (checkbox unticked) | switch to the English store view and correct it there too |
| I changed the product name in the Slovenian store view, and now the English one shows Slovenian | the English store view was using the default value, which you overwrote | in the English store view untick Use Default Value and enter the English name; enter the Slovenian name in the Slovenian store view or in All Store Views |
| I changed a setting, but the shop behaves as before | the website or store view level has its own value that overrides the default | switch to the website and the store view and tick Use Default or Use Website there |
Common problems
I cannot edit a field, it is greyed out
Use system value (or Use Default, Use Website) is ticked to the right of the field. Untick it.
After switching scope, the admin asks me to confirm
That is normal: confirm, and the page reloads with the settings of the selected level.
I do not know which level the value the shop uses comes from
Check from the bottom up: store view, website, Default Config. The lowest level with the checkbox unticked wins.