How Do I Apply Translation for Default Reports for Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids in Oracle APEX

 

Introduction
Applying translation for default reports in Oracle APEX, including Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids, is essential for creating multilingual applications that deliver a seamless user experience. Since these report components automatically generate column headings, labels, and messages, translating them ensures that users see content in their preferred language. Understanding how to apply translations to these default elements helps developers build applications that are accessible and user-friendly across different locales.

Applying translation for default reports in Oracle APEX—specifically Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids—ensures that all automatically generated UI text, such as column headers, filter labels, and messages, appear in the user’s preferred language. Since these reports dynamically generate much of their interface, handling translations requires working with APEX’s translation framework and understanding how to customize or override default labels.

Here is a detailed process to apply translations for default reports:

1. Configure Application Languages
   Before translating reports, ensure your application supports multiple languages:

   • Go to Shared Components > Languages and add the languages you want to support.

   • Set the Primary Language and configure how language selection works (e.g., browser, application item).

2. Export the Application Translation File (XLIFF)
   Use the Translate Application feature under Shared Components to export an XLIFF file for the desired target language. This file contains all translatable UI elements, including Interactive Report and Interactive Grid default labels, messages, and system text.

3. Edit the XLIFF File
   Open the exported XLIFF file with an XML or translation editor that supports Unicode. Locate translation units related to Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids. These usually include:

   • Column headers and default labels like “Filter”, “Search”, “Reset”, “Download”

   • Messages such as “No data found”, “Loading”, “Apply”
     Translate these strings carefully, preserving any placeholder syntax.

4. Import the Translated XLIFF File
   After completing the translations, import the updated XLIFF file back into your Oracle APEX application using the Translate Application feature. APEX will store the translations in its repository and apply them dynamically based on the session language.

5. Translate Static Column Names (if needed)
   If you have columns with fixed names (defined in SQL queries or database columns), and you want their labels translated:

   • Use Shared Components > Text Messages to create translation keys for each column label.

   • Reference these keys in your report column headers using substitution strings or programmatic logic.

6. Use JavaScript or Dynamic Actions for Custom Messages
   For any custom text or messages generated by JavaScript in Interactive Grids, consider using dynamic actions or client-side localization techniques with the apex.locale API to translate labels at runtime.

7. Test Language Switching
   Switch the application language to verify that all default report UI elements reflect the proper translations. Pay attention to pagination labels, filtering options, toolbar buttons, and error messages.

8. Handle Regional Formatting Separately
   While translation manages text, remember that date, number, and currency formatting within reports should also reflect locale settings. Use APEX’s globalization features to ensure correct regional formats are applied alongside translations.

By following these steps, Oracle APEX developers can fully translate the default components of Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids. This approach maintains the dynamic and flexible nature of these reports while providing a consistent and localized user interface that enhances the usability of your application worldwide.

Oracle APEX provides built-in support for multilingual applications, including translating default labels and messages for Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids. These components include default system-generated text such as column headers, action menus, and pagination controls. Developers can translate these elements using the Translation Repository and XLIFF files.

Step 1: Understanding Default Reports in Interactive Components

Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids include system-generated elements such as:

• Column headings

• Filter labels

• Action menu items (e.g., "Save Report", "Download", "Reset")

• Button labels (e.g., "Apply", "Cancel")

• Pagination controls (e.g., "Next", "Previous")

These default labels appear based on the application’s primary language. To support multiple languages, these elements need to be translated.

Step 2: Defining the Application’s Translation Mapping

Before translating default report elements, define the primary and target languages.

1. Open your APEX application.

2. Navigate to Shared Components > Globalization > Translate Application.

3. Click Create Language Mapping.

4. Select the Primary Language and the Target Language.

5. Click Create to generate the language mapping.

This step ensures that APEX creates a translated version of the application for the selected language.

Step 3: Seeding the Translation Repository

Seeding the application extracts all translatable text, including default Interactive Report and Interactive Grid labels.

1. Go to Shared Components > Globalization > Translate Application.

2. Click Seed Translations.

3. Select the Application ID and the Target Language.

4. Click Seed Translations to populate the translation repository.

Once complete, all translatable text, including default report elements, will be stored in the repository.

Step 4: Exporting the XLIFF File

The XLIFF file contains all extracted text elements, which can be translated.

1. Go to Shared Components > Globalization > Translate Application.

2. Click Export XLIFF File.

3. Choose the Target Language and click Export.

4. Save the XLIFF file locally.

This file will contain text elements like:

<trans-unit id="SAVE_REPORT">

    <source>Save Report</source>

    <target></target>

</trans-unit>

<trans-unit id="DOWNLOAD">

    <source>Download</source>

    <target></target>

</trans-unit>

Step 5: Translating the XLIFF File

Edit the XLIFF file to provide translations for system-generated text.

1. Open the XLIFF file in a text editor or a translation tool.

2. Add translations within the <target> tags: 

<trans-unit id="SAVE_REPORT">

    <source>Save Report</source>

    <target>Guardar Reporte</target>

</trans-unit>

<trans-unit id="DOWNLOAD">

    <source>Download</source>

    <target>Descargar</target>

</trans-unit>

3. Save the file once all translations are complete.

For professional translation, this file can be shared with translators using XLIFF-compatible tools.

Step 6: Importing the Translated XLIFF File

Once the translation is complete, import the file back into APEX.

1. Go to Shared Components > Globalization > Translate Application.

2. Click Apply XLIFF Document.

3. Select the Target Language and upload the translated XLIFF file.

4. Click Apply to update the translations in the application.

Step 7: Publishing the Translated Application

After importing translations, publish the translated version of the application.

1. Go to Shared Components > Globalization > Translate Application.

2. Click Publish Application.

3. Select the Target Language and confirm.

The translated version of the application is now available. Users will see it based on their language settings.

Step 8: Testing the Translated Reports

To verify that the translations appear correctly:

1. Change the Session Language to the Target Language.

2. Navigate to pages containing Interactive Reports or Interactive Grids.

3. Check if all system-generated labels, buttons, and menu items are translated.

4. If any elements are still in the original language, repeat the export, translate, and import process.

Best Practices for Translating Default Reports in APEX

• Regularly seed translations after making UI changes to ensure all new elements are included.

• Use consistent terminology across translations to maintain user experience.

• Enable right-to-left (RTL) support for languages such as Arabic or Hebrew if necessary.

• Test the translated application thoroughly, especially in different browsers and devices.

• Store and maintain XLIFF files for future updates to ensure translations remain accurate.

By following these steps, developers can effectively translate Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids in Oracle APEX, ensuring a seamless experience for users across different languages.

Conclusion
Translating default reports in Oracle APEX empowers you to provide fully localized interfaces for Interactive Reports and Interactive Grids. By managing translation files, using the Translate Application feature, and testing language switching, you ensure that all report elements—including column headers and messages—are accurately presented in the target language. This attention to detail enhances usability and broadens the reach of your applications to a global audience.