---
title: Translate content
slug: cms-13/docs/translate-content
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-30T20:22:05.208Z
---

Translate existing content or create content in a specific language after an administrator enables that language. Content includes pages or blocks on an Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) website or product-related content on an ecommerce site.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
An administrator enables languages. Go to [Languages](docId\:eqUXZgJ4bbzDplqGeUxlb) for details.
:::

When a language is enabled in CMS, content properties that are not global are available for translation. Administrators set access rights for each language to prevent editors from creating content in the wrong language. Editors create and edit content only in languages they have access to.

The [Optimizely Languages gadget](docId\:c06GoQsp0COHmAERivc8d) extends the translation functionality in CMS.

## Translate existing content

The **Sites** tab displays the languages available for content creation, with the default language at the top. Languages enabled on the website but not enabled for editing display in italics.

### Translate a page

Pages in the tree structure display in the **Pages** tab, including untranslated pages shown in italics. Select **Show Content in Current Language Only** to see pages for the chosen language only.

To translate a page:

1. Select the target language for translation under the **Sites** tab in the navigation panel, such as *svenska*.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/ijMQ1Z53yHhue0ZXKIMLn_03fe57216c8b935abe6ec8c93932eaa85c6d1e716c00314d331b0afaaf5c9ed6-image.png)

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
Select **More** > **Translate** from the page tree as an alternative.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/gD_1aFYHqvuYSq2xxfPH0_5e44a291f4b3f519b2a96a85c45d12b3f0ba2deaed19e517302e260d375dd421-image.png)
:::

2. Click **Translate** when CMS indicates the content does not exist in the selected language. The add language page displays.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/GM2FO2OF5ZDzA_pxfkyF5_9b9b0c70f0f7f83e27d81bd1d1c3a58d501ed7c4abe3b4c2c6f75e89bb1d40c6-image.png)

3. Select **Translate content using UI** and click **Add Language**. CMS translates the content automatically.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/BniNpsHBkoTOTWgGUoK8-_3c838e2dae6d41bbe8d0a4b4240c78bc808fe2a2dccbb2ffecebc800fab1eb62-image.png)

4. Click **Compare view** to translate in one panel while viewing the original version in the other panel.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/6a6sfGLCAOYwBCrUjsWCZ_a56b2b4b32ab5190157435bd7547be13f6c820de8a2752a41a4ab9a593d2fb44-image.png)

5. Edit the content and follow the content publishing flow to save and publish the translated page.

### Translate a block

Access language versions for blocks from **Blocks** in the assets panel. Untranslated blocks display in italics. Select **Show Content in Current Language Only** to see blocks for the chosen language only.

To translate a block:

1. Select the target language for translation under the **Sites** tab in the navigation panel. The UI reloads.
2. Expand the assets panel and select **Blocks**.
3. Select the block to translate in the block structure, then select **Translate** from the context menu.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/I5Mc2vL5SnfOWpGhkr4cS_919b29d14b3bbf9e5da5b2b35cc400b37b2cd3a3003fdc0c3e37357a4a14757d-image.png)

4. Click **Compare view** to translate in one panel while viewing the original version in the other panel.
5. Edit the content and follow the content publishing flow to save and publish the translated block.

## Global properties

CMS shares some properties globally across all language versions, depending on your implementation. Edit these properties in the master language only. These properties are marked as **non-editable** when editing content in another language. Switch to the default language to edit global properties. When editing in the **All Properties** view, the default language is the first language listed next to **Languages** in the header.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/orb-Us7CvPWKTgep7__DR_cbbac6126ebc21101e19d834723e0bde17b4c9eacba633b754ac140c49519a61-image.png)