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Understanding POT, PO, and MO Files in WordPress

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A deep dive into WordPress localization file formats and how they work together to deliver multilingual content.

Understanding POT, PO, and MO Files in WordPress

If you're new to WordPress translation, the different file types can be confusing. Let's break down what each file type does and how they work together.

What is a POT File?

POT stands for Portable Object Template. Think of it as a master blueprint containing all the translatable strings in your theme or plugin.

Characteristics:

  • Generated from your source code
  • Contains no translations, only source strings
  • Serves as the template for creating PO files
  • Should be regenerated when you add new strings

Example POT Entry:

#: functions.php:42
msgid "Welcome to our site"
msgstr ""

What is a PO File?

PO stands for Portable Object. This is where the actual translation work happens.

Characteristics:

  • Human-readable text format
  • Created from POT files
  • Contains both source and translated strings
  • Can be edited with text editors or specialized tools

Example PO Entry:

#: functions.php:42
msgid "Welcome to our site"
msgstr "Bienvenue sur notre site"

What is an MO File?

MO stands for Machine Object. This is the compiled, binary version of your PO file.

Characteristics:

  • Binary format (not human-readable)
  • Optimized for fast lookups
  • Generated from PO files
  • This is what WordPress actually uses

The Translation Workflow

  1. Extract strings: Generate POT file from source code
  2. Create PO file: Use POT as template for target language
  3. Translate: Fill in msgstr values in PO file
  4. Compile: Generate MO file from completed PO file
  5. Deploy: Upload MO file to WordPress

Why Three File Types?

  • POT: Source control and version management
  • PO: Human translation and editing
  • MO: Runtime performance

POForge Simplifies This

With POForge, you don't need to worry about file conversions:

  1. Upload your POT file
  2. Get AI-powered translations
  3. Download both PO and MO files instantly

No manual compilation, no command-line tools, just simple translation.

Conclusion

Understanding these file types helps you manage WordPress translations more effectively. While the workflow can be complex, modern tools like POForge automate most of the technical details, letting you focus on quality translations.

Understanding POT, PO, and MO Files in WordPress - POForge Blog