[Waiting for user feedback] ACF Link Field not automatic translated
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Background of the issue:
I am trying to auto-translate an ACF Link Field on my site hidden link using WPML. I have set the field to translate, but it doesn't show a translated URL where it should. I am using automatic translation for French.
Symptoms:
The ACF Link Field does not show a translated URL. I cannot change it manually because it says it is locked due to being set to WPML copy. Updating affected posts for changes runs indefinitely.
Questions:
Why doesn't the ACF Link Field show a translated URL?
Why can't I manually change the ACF Link Field?
Why does updating affected posts for changes run indefinitely (It never starts, its in the database "Starting date" -> "NULL"?
The ACF Link Field by default is set to "Copy". This would be ideal for internal links, as WPML handles them automatically, but you can not translate external links this way.
Currently the only way to make it translatable with the WPML Translation Editor, would be using the "Expert" mode and setting the field to translate.
After changing the setting, you will need to edit the link field on the original content, save the page or post and then translate again.
It might occur in this case, that the link will not directly appear on the WPML Translation Editor, as it is a non-visual element and they are usually removed form the UI.
In such case use the search field in the top section of the translation editor and search for "http".
Then translate your links accordingly.
Take note, that you can not translate those automatically, as a translation engine would not understand how the link would need to get adjusted in a second languages.
I hope this helps, but if you run into an unexpected issues, please let me know.
I would like to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to the site to investigate the issue further.
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I may need to install a plugin called "All In One WP Migration" here to create a copy of the site that I can use to investigate the issue further.
However, I would also be very grateful if you could provide a staging site or copy of the website from your server for this purpose.
If you have any questions about creating such a staging site, you can consult your hosting provider. Please note that WPML must also be registered on this staging site at https://wpml.org/de/account/websites/.
If you are not able to provide such a copy of the website for testing, please let me know on this ticket.
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Thank you very much for providing access to a staging site.
The field group "Pagina" is set to "Same fields across languages". This field group setting is dedicated for translating the content with the WPML Translation Editor but by default it will "copy" any link fields.
You will need to change the field group to "Export" mode, change the link fields to "Translate", then edit the link fields on the original content, save the page and translate it again.
Now you should see the links available for translations and you will need to adjust them manually, as the automatic translation engine is not able to translate them.
What I am not understanding here, is that the group "Pagina" had a Flexible Content Group that is actually emtpy. I do not see any link fields here.
Could you please calrify how this content is created, as I can not follow at the moment.
Yes of course I can clearify.
The blocks for the Flexible content are added dynamicly from the "Inactive" ACF groups.
This way we can turn on/off any Flexible content blocks.
So it is actually the ACF block: Doorkiesblokken that is loaded in that place.
In this case, set the "ACF block: Doorkiesblokken" group tp "Expert" mode and set the link fields to "Translate".
Any field that is set to "Translate" should show up inside the WPML Translation Editor, but you might first need to edit the original field after changing the config and then translate the page again.
If this does not solve the issue, please let me know.
I did what you said, but it's not working. I still see the field being locked.
Also the screenshot from my first comment is getting bigger and bigger, but they never finish.
I think this might have to do with it?
Can you take a look?
We also are developing a other site, that does NOT have this issue of "Updating affected posts for changes in translatable fields". So what's wrong with this installation than?
Could you also answer my question about what field WOULD be translated?
In a new website, I am now using the ACF field "Page link", so not the "Link" field anymore.
I ran a quick test and created the test post "WPML Test" (Draft).
In fact, the link will not appear direclty. You will need to search for it in the text field on top of the editor. Type "http" and you should see the links.
Ok check i see it now, also on my own links.
Still the question though:
Could you also answer my question about what field WOULD be translated?
In a new website, I am now using the ACF field "Page link", so not the "Link" field anymore.
Sorry, but i dont think you understand the question.
If I enable automatic translation (Or "Copy"), will it auto-translate the links for ACF field "Page link"? Or does this only work for the WYSIWYG field for ACF?
Any translaton engine will not know how to handle links in different languages and will not be able to translate links.
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The "Page Link" field by default is set to "Copy" which means the link will not show up inside the WPML Translation Editor but the setting will be copied in the background when translating to make sure original and translation have similar settings.
As this is an internal link WPML should adjust it automatically once a translation exists.
If you use fields like text, textarea, or WYSIWYG and you would like them to get translate automatically, you need to set the fields to "Translate".
If you want to translate a Link field you need to set it to "Translate" and adjust the translation manually while searching for the link using the text field inside the Advanced Translation Editor.
