ACF fields/labels acting erratically in ATE

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
The client is working on a site using WPML with ACF fields and experiencing issues where ACF fields (text, wysiwyg, link) are not showing up in the Advanced Translation Editor (ATE) unless searched for, and ACF field labels are appearing in the ATE despite being set to not translatable.
Solution:
We found that the fields were set to 'Copy Once' instead of 'Translate', which is why the content was not added to the translation editor. We recommend changing the translation preferences from 'Copy Once' to 'Translate' for the fields you want to appear in the ATE. This setting adjustment should allow the fields to display correctly in the ATE. For detailed guidance on setting translation preferences for ACF fields in WPML, please check the following documentation: Recommended Custom Fields Translation Preferences for ACF and WPML.

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Tagged: Documentation request

This topic contains 9 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Osama Mersal 2 months, 2 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Osama Mersal.

Author	Posts
October 8, 2024 at 7:43 am #16264135
Boris	Background of the issue: I am working on a site under development and using WPML with ACF fields. I have set the translation settings in ACF to 'expert', with fields configured to translate or copy once as needed. All plugins except WPML and ACF Pro have been disabled. Switching to 2024 theme also made no difference. Memory is at 768MB, with less than 10% in use. Symptoms: ACF fields (text, wysiwyg, link) are not showing up in the ATE unless searched for, and ACF field labels are appearing in the ATE despite being set to not translatable (field group post type is set to not translatable). I've seen this behaviour with link fields, but not with text/wysiwyg... Questions: How can I get the missing ACF fields to show up properly in the ATE? How can I remove the superfluous ACF labels from the ATE?
October 8, 2024 at 3:12 pm #16266136
Osama Mersal Supporter Languages: English (English ) Arabic (العربية ) Timezone: Africa/Cairo (GMT+02:00)	Hi, Thanks for contacting WPML forums support. I'll be glad to help you today. 1) Please set your field groups' translation mode to "Same Fields Across Languages," create a new test page/post, and translate it to check if the fields will appear in the translation editor. 2) Please add the following line to the "wp-config.php" file to remove the ACF labels from the translation editor. define( 'ACFML_EXCLUDE_FIELD_GROUP_STRINGS_IN_POST_JOBS', true ); Best regards, Osama
October 9, 2024 at 1:47 pm #16270741
Boris	Hi Osama, the labels have now disappared, thanks! If I create a NEW page, the fields are indeed present in the translation editor. But the existing pages do not show the fields, even if I make a change to them in the default language. How do we make sure the fields appear in the ATE for the existing pages?
October 9, 2024 at 1:49 pm #16270744
Osama Mersal Supporter Languages: English (English ) Arabic (العربية ) Timezone: Africa/Cairo (GMT+02:00)	Hi, I would need to look closely at your site, so I would need to request temporary access (WP-Admin and FTP) Preferably to a test site where the problem has been replicated. Your answer will be private, meaning only you and I can access it. ❌ Please backup your database and website ❌ ✙ I need your permission to deactivate and reactivate the plugins and themes and change site configurations. This is also why the backup is critical. ✙ I also need your permission to take a local copy of your site to debug the issue without affecting your live site. Best regards, Osama
October 9, 2024 at 2:05 pm #16270886
Boris	Also, I need all ACF groups back at "expert". What does that do for the new pages? I'm 100% sure the expert settings per field are okay.
October 9, 2024 at 2:17 pm #16270968
Osama Mersal Supporter Languages: English (English ) Arabic (العربية ) Timezone: Africa/Cairo (GMT+02:00)	Hi Boris, Thanks for the access details. I checked a block and found that the fields are set to Copy Once, not Translate, which is why the content is not added to the translation editor. I edited the translation preferences in this hidden link">field group. Please check if the translation editor shows the content inside these fields when you translate this hidden link">page. Best regards, Osama
October 9, 2024 at 2:26 pm #16271035
Boris	Hi Osama, thank you, I will test rightaway! However, I know many fields are set to copy once. The intent was to copy the original content once, but be able to change it later on if necessary. Wasn't that the reason for the existence of 'copy once' in the first place? Otherwise, why would it exist? What happens to the values of fields that now have 'copy once' if I change them to translate? I cannot afford to either lose all the content displayed there or go through every page to correct it.
October 9, 2024 at 2:32 pm #16271080
Osama Mersal Supporter Languages: English (English ) Arabic (العربية ) Timezone: Africa/Cairo (GMT+02:00)	Hi, The Copy Once option is used when you want to translate the content manually using the WordPress editor; if you want to translate the content using the translation editor, you need to use the Translate option. Please check this guide to know more about the translation preferences. Best regards, Osama
October 9, 2024 at 2:48 pm #16271320
Boris	Hi Osama, I'm well aware of the different options and what they mean. I just didn't know the 'copy once' option was not available in the ATE. Good to know now, thanks! That leaves me one question: What happens to the values of fields that now have 'copy once' if I change them to translate? I cannot afford to either lose all the content displayed there or go through every page to correct it.
October 9, 2024 at 2:51 pm #16271323
Osama Mersal Supporter Languages: English (English ) Arabic (العربية ) Timezone: Africa/Cairo (GMT+02:00)	Hi, Changing the translation preferences shouldn't affect the content, but in order to be safe, please change only one block and check the existing content on the staging site. Best regards, Osama
October 9, 2024 at 2:53 pm #16271329
Boris	Hi Osama, okay, thank you. I will test that. Thanks for having a look at this for me, you've helped me a great deal!