How to deploy language translation in Salesforce, explained

Salesforce, founded in 1999 by Marc Benioff, Parker Harris, Dave Moellenhoff, and Frank Dominguez, emerged as a pioneer in cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The company’s innovative approach allowed businesses to manage customer interactions and data through the internet, eliminating the need for traditional software installations.

In its early years, Salesforce introduced the concept of software as a service (SaaS), revolutionizing how enterprises approached CRM by offering scalable and accessible solutions. The company’s rapid growth led to its initial public offering in 2004, raising $110 million and trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CRM.

Salesforce’s expansion included the launch of the AppExchange in 2005, a marketplace for third-party applications that extended the platform’s functionality. This development fostered a robust ecosystem of developers and partners, enhancing the platform’s versatility.

The company continued to innovate with the introduction of the Service Cloud in 2009, enabling businesses to manage customer service interactions more effectively. In 2014, Salesforce unveiled Trailhead, a free online learning platform designed to educate users on the platform’s capabilities and best practices.

Strategic acquisitions have played a significant role in Salesforce’s growth. Notable acquisitions include MuleSoft in 2018, which enhanced the company’s integration capabilities, and Tableau in 2019, bolstering its data visualization offerings. In 2021, Salesforce completed its acquisition of Slack Technologies, aiming to improve collaboration tools for businesses.

Throughout its history, Salesforce has maintained a commitment to philanthropy through its 1-1-1 model, dedicating 1% of equity, 1% of product, and 1% of employee time to charitable causes. This approach has contributed to the company’s reputation as a socially responsible organization.

As of 2024, Salesforce continues to be a leader in the CRM industry, offering a comprehensive suite of cloud-based applications that support sales, service, marketing, and more. The company’s focus on innovation, strategic growth, and social responsibility has solidified its position as a key player in the technology sector.

Deploying language translation in Salesforce involves configuring the platform to support multiple languages for users, customers, or specific functionalities like Knowledge Articles or email templates. This process typically requires a combination of Salesforce’s built-in language settings and translation tools, along with additional customization as needed.

To begin, you must enable the desired languages in Salesforce. This is done by navigating to the Setup menu and searching for “Language Settings.” Salesforce offers a range of supported languages, including fully supported languages with translations for the user interface and end-user content, as well as end-user-only languages that apply to specific features like Knowledge Articles. Once the languages are enabled, users can select their preferred language in their personal settings, and administrators can assign default languages for profiles or individual users.

Next, you configure the platform to translate custom content such as field labels, custom objects, and validation rules. Salesforce provides the Translation Workbench, a tool that allows administrators to create and manage translations for custom metadata. By enabling the Translation Workbench, you can specify which languages require translations and assign translators to handle the work. Translators can input translations directly into the system or upload them in bulk using a translation file.

If the goal is to translate dynamic content, such as Knowledge Articles or email templates, Salesforce offers tools tailored to these needs. For Knowledge Articles, you can create multilingual versions by enabling Knowledge Base Languages in the Knowledge Setup. This allows you to manage separate translations for each article, ensuring that content is accurately localized for different audiences. Email templates can be similarly customized, with versions created in multiple languages and assigned to specific user groups or campaigns.

For real-time language translation, Salesforce integrates with third-party translation APIs, such as Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. This approach is often used for translating chat messages or cases in Service Cloud, providing immediate language support for customer interactions. Developers can implement these integrations using Salesforce Apex code or third-party apps available on the Salesforce AppExchange.

Once the translation features are configured, thorough testing is essential to ensure accuracy and functionality. Test the user interface in different languages, verify translations for custom metadata, and check the flow of multilingual content in customer-facing channels. Providing training for translators and end-users ensures that the system is used effectively and that updates to translations are managed smoothly.

Deploying language translation in Salesforce is a powerful way to enhance user experience and improve accessibility for global teams and customers. By combining Salesforce’s native tools with third-party solutions as needed, organizations can create a multilingual platform that supports seamless communication and engagement across different languages.

Troubleshooting language translation issues in Salesforce involves identifying and addressing potential problems related to configuration, translation accuracy, or system limitations. One common issue arises when enabled languages do not appear as expected in the user interface or in specific features like Knowledge Articles or custom fields. In such cases, the first step is to confirm that the desired languages have been enabled in the Language Settings within Salesforce Setup. If the languages are enabled but not displaying, verify that the user profile has the correct default language assigned or that the individual user has selected the appropriate language in their personal settings.

Another frequent problem occurs when translations for custom objects, fields, or validation rules are not appearing. This may be due to incomplete configurations in the Translation Workbench. Ensure that the Translation Workbench is enabled and that the specific languages requiring translation are active. If translations have been input but are not displaying, double-check the translated values in the Workbench for accuracy and completeness. Additionally, ensure that the correct translator profiles have been assigned and that all required fields have been populated.

For issues involving Knowledge Articles or email templates, problems often stem from incomplete or missing translations. For Knowledge Articles, confirm that the Knowledge Base Languages are correctly enabled and that the articles have been translated and published in all the required languages. Incomplete translations can result in default fallback content appearing, which might not meet user or customer expectations. For email templates, ensure that multiple language versions have been created and are correctly associated with their respective campaigns or user groups.

If using third-party translation tools or APIs, such as Google Translate or Microsoft Translator, problems may occur due to integration issues. Verify that the API keys and configurations are correct and that the integration is functioning as expected. For real-time translations, confirm that the necessary Apex code or third-party app settings are properly implemented. If the integration fails intermittently, check for network connectivity or authentication problems with the external translation service.

In cases where users report inconsistencies or errors in translations, it may be necessary to revisit the original translation content. Work closely with assigned translators to correct any inaccuracies or discrepancies. Providing additional training for translators and end-users on how to input and manage translations within Salesforce can help prevent future issues.

Thorough testing is essential when troubleshooting translation problems. Test the system by switching to different languages and interacting with various features to ensure that translations are displaying correctly. Pay special attention to custom fields, workflows, and customer-facing content to ensure they align with language-specific requirements.

Addressing these potential issues systematically ensures that Salesforce’s language translation features function effectively, providing a seamless and accessible experience for all users and customers. Ongoing monitoring and updates help maintain the quality and accuracy of translations over time.