How to generate a pot file for a WordPress theme using a plugin

October 7, 2023

To generate a .pot (Portable Object Template) file for a WordPress theme, you’ll need to extract all the translatable strings (i.e., text that needs to be translated) from your theme’s source code. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Prepare Your Theme Files:
Make sure your WordPress theme is organized properly with all the necessary files. Your theme files should include PHP templates, functions, and any other files containing translatable text.

Install and Activate a Translation Plugin:
WordPress doesn’t provide a built-in tool to generate .pot files, so you’ll need a plugin to help you with this. One popular option is the “Loco Translate” plugin, which can be installed and activated from the WordPress dashboard.

Create a New Language Template:
Once the plugin is activated, go to “Loco Translate” in the WordPress dashboardClick on “Themes.” Find your theme in the list of installed themes and click “New Language.”

Choose a Location for Your .pot File:
You’ll be prompted to select a location for your .pot file. It’s a good practice to place it in your theme’s root directory.

Scan Your Theme for Strings:
Loco Translate will scan your theme’s files for translatable strings. This process may take a moment.

Review and Edit Translations:
After scanning, Loco Translate will display a list of translatable strings. You can review and edit the text if necessary. Make sure each string is clear and ready for translation.

Generate the .pot File:
Once you’re satisfied with the list of strings, click the “Sync” button to generate the .pot file. This file will contain all the translatable strings from your theme.

Download the .pot File:
After generating the .pot file, you can download it from the Loco Translate interface.

Distribute the .pot File:
Make the .pot file available to translators. They can use it as a template to create translation files (.po and .mo) for different languages.

Loading Translations in Your Theme:
To make your theme translatable, you’ll need to load translations in your theme’s code. You can do this using WordPress functions like load_theme_textdomain() or by using translation functions like __() and _e().

Compile Translations:
When translators provide translation files (.po and .mo) for specific languages, you can compile them using tools like Poedit or online services. These files should be placed in a language-specific folder within your theme, like languages.

Select Language in WordPress Settings:
In your WordPress dashboard, users can select their preferred language in their profile settings. WordPress will load the appropriate translation based on the user’s selection.

That’s how you generate a .pot file for your WordPress theme and make it translatable. Keep in mind that maintaining translations and ensuring they’re up-to-date is an ongoing process as you release updates to your theme.

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