Issue with product attributes

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

Problem:
You are trying to import products in two languages (EN and DE) using the built-in importer. Initially, both language versions display correctly. However, after updating the EN product, the DE product attributes like size and color are no longer displayed in the webshop.
Solution:
We have identified that this behavior is expected due to the limitations in WPML's handling of attribute translations. In WPML, attribute names themselves cannot be translated, only their labels can be. These labels are what you see on the frontend, provided by the theme. Unfortunately, the attribute names included in the export CSV file are not translatable. If you're experiencing this issue, we recommend checking the known issues page and verifying that you have the latest versions of themes and plugins installed.

If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, please do not hesitate to open a new support ticket. We highly recommend visiting the WPML support forum for further assistance.

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Tagged: Known issue, WCML

This topic contains 55 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Marcel 1 month ago.

Assisted by: Marcel.

Author	Posts
May 9, 2025 at 2:53 am #17014239
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	I was referring to the example file: "Example multilingual CSV file for product information" Translation method: Native Woocommerce Product Export. You can find it on this page: https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/wpml-export-and-import/preparing-import-files-for-wpml-export-and-import/#creating-spreadsheets-with-language-columns --- I suggest you use "WPML Export & Import" to create your export file. This way the correct formatting will be respected and WPML will add the necessary columns for connecting the content on import.
May 9, 2025 at 9:28 am #17015551
alirezaS-3 Site owner	The example file can not be used as the attribute "color" is the same for all languages. The "WPML Export & Import" does not inform about how to export, so I used the built in export. Have you created a test site ?
May 9, 2025 at 6:30 pm #17017673
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	You need to install "WPML Export & Import" on the site from which you export. Make sure that WPML is enabled and that you have at least two active languages. Then go to WPML > Export & Import and activate the export. Choose your method. Then use the method to create the export file. Do the same on the site where you import. First, activate the import at WPML > Export & Import. Choose your method. Then import the file using your method of choice. Finally, go again to WPML > Export & Import and complete the import.
May 14, 2025 at 6:24 am #17030186
alirezaS-3 Site owner	I have WPML Export & Import installed and I export using the built in Woocommerce exporter. In parallel it must also be possible to test with the example file, which you also referred to. The issues is that "color" is the value for both languages, ie its not translated. Please comment, and please share your own sample csv file.
May 14, 2025 at 7:34 pm #17034246
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	As long you follow the recommended workflow, you will not need to make any adjustments to the exported files. Exception: Only update translated texts, but not anything else, like IDs or language-specific columns. Then follow the workflow to import the files. Does this not work as expected for you? The example file can be found here: https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/wpml-export-and-import/preparing-import-files-for-wpml-export-and-import/#creating-spreadsheets-with-language-columns See screenshot.
May 15, 2025 at 9:11 am #17035829
alirezaS-3 Site owner	The problem is that the value in the attribute column is "Color" all the way down. It should be "colour", "couleur" and "farbe".
May 15, 2025 at 4:06 pm #17038018
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	Hello, I would like to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to the website to investigate the issue further. You can find the required fields below the comments section when you log in to leave the next reply. The information you provide is private, meaning only you and I can see and access it. IMPORTANT Please be sure to back up your website and database before granting us access. If you can't see the "wp-admin / FTP" fields, your post and website credentials will be set to "PUBLIC." DO NOT publish the data unless you see the required wp-admin / FTP fields. The private reply form looks like this: hidden link Click "I still need assistance" the next time you reply. Video: hidden link Please note that we are required to request this information individually on each ticket. We are not permitted to access any credentials that were not specifically submitted on this ticket using the private response form. Best regards, Andreas
May 15, 2025 at 7:37 pm #17038585
alirezaS-3 Site owner	Hi It would be nice if you could answer my question about the "color" issue. We are currently not keen on testing such things in our site, so I suggest that you setup a test wpml site and afterwards we can import the testfile.
May 15, 2025 at 8:17 pm #17038722
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	It depends on whether this is a global attribute or a custom attribute and if they are translated. Global attributes are created at Products > Attributes and need to be set as "Translatable" at WPML > Settings > Taxonomies Translation. Global attributes get translated at WPML > Taxonomy Translation. Custom attributes are created directly on each product. Custom attributes can only be translated when translating the product with the WPML Translation Editor.
May 22, 2025 at 6:55 pm #17063359
alirezaS-3 Site owner	All our product attributes are custom and all "Attribute <no> Global" columns are set to 0. How can we migrate/import thousand products without manually going through a manual process of translating the custom attributes ? Do you have a flaw in WPML ?
May 22, 2025 at 9:03 pm #17063597
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	My apologies, as I cannot provide any response to your questions, as I have no information about the state of translations on your site. As custom attributes are metadata that belong to each product, they can only be translated when translating products with the WPML Translation Editor. There is no global way to translate or sync them. If your exported files are missing translations, then you will need to edit the files accordingly before running your import. Based on your provided information it looks like these custom attributes were not yet translated before exporting the products. Are those custom attributes already translated on the site on which you export the products?
May 28, 2025 at 12:51 pm #17083441
alirezaS-3 Site owner	The attributes in our export file are already translated. The file which I export is similar to your example file - and therefore we/you can use them as examples. The issue is that your example file contain "color", ie. the custom attributes are not translated. If you translate "color" to the different language - then the import will not work as expected - I believe you know what I mean - otherwise please test.
May 28, 2025 at 1:42 pm #17083760
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	Could you please import the exported files on the following test site and let me know if you can replicate this issue? One-Click-Login: hidden link
June 3, 2025 at 5:41 pm #17103630
alirezaS-3 Site owner	I have imported a csv file and afterwards I ran the WPML export and import. Please check the product in the two languages. It works fine and please notice the "colour" and "color". If you afterwards go in and make a change to the EN product (updatge text/description field), then (when you save the product) it makes a change (I believe a hook) to the translated product - and you can no longer select the local attributes of the translated product. You can view/download the csv file (product-wpmlexample3-rjomzz3spo.csv) from the media library.
June 3, 2025 at 6:29 pm #17103746
Andreas W. WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)	I do currently not see the reported issue on my test site. Can you please confirm if you can recreate the issue? Are you editing this product on the WordPress Editor? If so, take note that you should only do this if you chose the "WordPress Editor" as the translation method and custom attributes are not translatable using this method. In this case, you need to only translate the products with the "WPML Translation Editor". You find the respective setting on each original content inside the right sidebar of the WordPress Editor. See screenshot.