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

Problem:
The client is experiencing difficulties in matching translations to original posts using the WP All Import plugin. The process involves exporting, translating, and importing content, which requires simulating an import in the original language first. The client finds this process cumbersome and suggests a simplified method of directly defining original post IDs during import.
Solution:
We recommend using the WPML Export & Import plugin instead of the deprecated WPML All Import plugin. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Install the WPML Export & Import plugin on both sites.
2. Enable the export options at WPML > Export & Import before running the export. WPML will add additional columns to your file to connect the contents across sites.
3. Activate the import options at WPML > Export & Import before importing.
4. After completing the import, run the migration option at WPML > Export & Import.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, we would appreciate it if you could send us the WPML debugging information. More information can be found here: WPML Debugging Information.

Please note that the solution provided might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case. We highly recommend checking related known issues at WPML Known Issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If the issue persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML Support Forum.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

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This topic contains 7 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Dražen 1 year, 2 months ago.

Assisted by: Dražen.

Author Posts
March 7, 2025 at 10:51 am #16787598

bikbulatovaE

Background of the issue:
I am trying to match translations to original posts using the WP All Import plugin. My process involves export > translation > import, and I already have all the original post IDs in my CSV files. I find the 'Define parent import' function disturbing and suggest it could be simplified to 'Define original posts ID'. I have to simulate an import in the original language first, then map the post IDs in a second import, which is annoying. Your documentation is here, it's the ID section: https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/legacy-wpml-all-import/importing-multiple-languages-with-wp-all-import-and-wpml/#add-a-unique-identifier-to-your-spreadsheets.

Symptoms:
The process of matching translations to original posts is cumbersome and requires simulating an import in the original language first.

Questions:
Possible to add an option of "Original posts IDs included in the translation file" and a field to add these IDs?

March 7, 2025 at 1:29 pm #16788748

bikbulatovaE

Update: Using a dummy import first and then importing translations does not work. They are not linked together.

March 7, 2025 at 6:33 pm #16789699

bikbulatovaE

In the meantime I also managed to use the other plugin "WPML Import/Export".
Followed the exact step to connect the content together with the original language posts.
And they are not linked.
What I did:
Export > Edition: add carefully all data to link the content correctly > Import:all translated taxonomies were in the english tab instead of being in the french... > Run the Import/Export WPML plugin: taxonomies were then sorted out by language, but the translated pages were not linked to the original ones.

In short that's a mess. Super complicated process. And does not work.

March 8, 2025 at 3:00 pm #16791350

Andreas W.
WPML Supporter since 12/2018

Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch )

Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)

Hello,

The WPML All Import plugin is deprecated and we suggest using WPML Export & Import.

The WPML Export & Import plugin must be installed on both sites. Before running the export, enable the export options at WPML > Export & Import.

Then export your file, while WPML will add additional columns to later connect the contents of the site.

Before importing, also activate the import options at WPML > Export & Import. After the import has been completed run the migration option at WPML > Export & Import.

If this will not solve the issue, it would be very helpful if you could send us the WPML debugging information.
More information here:
https://wpml.org/de/faq/provide-debug-information-faster-support/

Best regards
Andreas

March 11, 2025 at 7:34 am #16799642

bikbulatovaE

Here it is. I tried All techniques, for the moment, without success. I couldn't manage to link original content to the translations

March 11, 2025 at 11:45 am #16801210

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)

Hello,

Thanks for getting back.

I am afraid what you described is expected; you need to first import original language content, then translation for this method to work. It is not possible to just import translation to existing content.

As it explains in our docs:

Because WP All Import relies on the unique identifier to connect translated posts with their corresponding default language post, you cannot upload the secondary language file to add translations to pre-existing default language content. If you do this, WP All Import will not know which posts the translations belong to.

To add translations when default language content already exists on the site:

Export your default language content using WP All Export.
Edit the newly created CSV to add a column for the unique identifier.
Delete the original content from the site.
Import the default language CSV file with the unique identifier column. Make sure to import it as New items.
Once the default language file has been imported, you can continue with your secondary language file as previously explained...

- https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/legacy-wpml-all-import/importing-multiple-languages-with-wp-all-import-and-wpml/#add-a-unique-identifier-to-your-spreadsheets:~:text=or%20manually%20created.-,Adding%20Translations%20When%20the%20Default%20Language%20Content%20Already%20Exists%20on%20the%20Site,-Because%20WP%20All

Regards,
Drazen

March 14, 2025 at 12:35 pm #16816749
bikbulatovaE

No way, I don't want to remove existing products and recreate them.
I'll probably just translate the content with your plugin integrations (deepl/AI).

So here's a new problem: when I translate my products with semi-automatic translation, the product in the original language loses all its variations. See attached screenshot.
This product had over a hundred variations (it's a carpet with many sizes available).

Waiting for your feedback

New threads created by Dražen and linked to this one are listed below:

https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-product-in-the-original-language-loses-all-its-variations/

Capture d’écran 2025-03-14 163414.jpg
March 14, 2025 at 1:23 pm #16816999

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)

Hello,

thanks for getting back.

We limit 1 issue per ticket to keep things clear. This will help other users with similar problems to find solutions when searching the forum.

I have opened a new ticket for you:

- https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-product-in-the-original-language-loses-all-its-variations/

Note due to the higher queue and the weekend, it may take a few days before someone takes the ticket.

I will be closing this ticket now since seems no more doubts about the topic.

Regards,
Drazen