Source key

A source key is a segment of text stored in Localazy that represents content in your source language. It’s a single string of text, such as a button label, a short paragraph in a dialog window, or even a blog article written in Markdown. You can think of a source key as a single row in a spreadsheet you might have used for translations.

Source keys act as unique codes that link the original text to its translations. They help translators and localization tools produce accurate translations as the product versions, number of languages, and amount of text to translate increases. Even if a source key is translated into multiple languages, it still counts as one source key.

Source keys make localization faster and easier by allowing translators to quickly find the text that needs translation. These keys are often used with translation management systems like Localazy to ensure the correct translations match the right text. They can come in different formats, like simple numbers or descriptive strings that provide context for the text.

🤔 Types of source keys: #️⃣

Source keys can be categorized into different types based on their state. Here are some examples:

• Active keys. Used in your code and available for translation. These are fully functional and visible to translators.
• Hidden keys. Not visible to translators but still processed and exported. When the source text is empty, they’re often applied automatically.
• Duplicate keys. Linked to a master key using Duplicity Linking. These act like hidden keys and inherit translations from the original.
• Deprecated keys. Considered outdated. They are ignored during export and hidden from translators. If re-uploaded, they’re restored as Active with all previous data.
• Deleted keys. Fully removed from the project, including all translations. These no longer count toward your key limit.

🔎 Examples of source keys: #️⃣

1. A button labeled “Submit”.

2. A sentence like “Your order has been placed successfully.”

3. A short blog post written in Markdown, such as:

   ## 5 Tips to Stay Productive
   
   Staying productive can be tough, but here are five quick tips:
   
   1. Start your day with a to-do list.
   2. Take short breaks to recharge.
   3. Minimize distractions by turning off notifications.
   4. Focus on one task at a time.
   5. Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
   
   Try these tips and see how they boost your productivity!

Even if these examples are translated into 10 different languages, each one still counts as a single source key. See examples in action here.

📝 Benefits of source keys: #️⃣

• Ensure consistent translations across multiple languages.
• Make updating and maintenance of localized content easier.
• Improve how translators and developers work together.
• Make it easier to track changes in the source text and handle version control.

Source keys make the translation of your product easier. Learn more about the costs of source strings on our pricing page.