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Phrase

Phrase offers Strings for app messages and TMS for coordinating translation jobs around files and documents.

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Which part of Phrase handles your text?

Use Phrase Strings when the app needs specific labels and messages back by key. A key is the name the app uses to find the right message. Use Phrase TMS when the work is organized around a file being translated into one or more languages.

A password-reset button and the help article explaining password reset may belong to different jobs. Plan which person reviews each piece and what file the app or publishing team needs back.

What should come back when the translation is incomplete?

In Strings, check the export settings for empty or unreviewed text and any configured fallback locale. Fallback can make an export look full while a label still needs translation. In TMS, Phrase says an empty target segment can leave that part of the downloaded file empty.

For a manual download, select the fallback locale in Download and enable Include empty translations. To use fallback for text still awaiting review, turn on Use fallback for unverified translations in the project settings and enable Include unverified translations in Download.

Keep the released locale files or completed document separately with the original and the settings used to export them. Read a sample of the exported file before shipping.

How can you plan both jobs before creating a project?

On paper, choose one fictional password-reset screen and a short help document. Mark the source language and two target languages. No account or upload is needed.

  1. Split the handoff
    Write “Send reset link” next to the stable app key for that button. Put the help document title in a separate file job. Give each reviewer a clear deliverable.
  2. Leave one item unfinished
    Leave the second language’s button unreviewed and one paragraph of the help document blank. Mark which fallback text the app might display and which document passage must be completed.
  3. Compare what you expect back
    Write the target language and file name on each result. Check that the button still sends a reset link and that the help document has all its paragraphs before marking either result ready.

Why does Phrase count app messages and file jobs differently?

Phrase describes Strings managed words as stored text and TMS processed words as imported work counted across target languages. Under credit-based pricing, the stored Strings words draw credits daily while stored. Check which billing model and included capacities apply to your organization.

Check Strings seats and machine translation allowances separately. The number of words in a file alone will not tell you the cost of running a job in several languages.