---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/platform-administration

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Translating to an unsupported language

# Translating to an unsupported language {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated March 18, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Translate the interface of an instance to a language for which ServiceNow does not provide an internationalization (I18N) plugin.

## Before you begin

You can download a file containing translatable strings from the [Translate an unsupported language - File Containing strings in the English Language \[KB0860203\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0860203) article in the Now Support
Knowledge Base.

Role required: admin

## About this task

All interface items are stored as translatable strings in the translation tables. By default, these translation tables contain only English strings. To populate these tables with translated strings in an unsupported language,
use the following workflow.

There is a very large number of translatable strings on the platform. Exporting all of them and translating them manually is probably not a realistic possibility. Consider exporting filtered subsets of the strings from
each table and then translating them. To download a file of translatable strings, see [KB0860203](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0860203).

You can use the Localization Framework application to translate to an unsupported language or to translate large amounts of custom UI string content in a supported language. For more information, see [Localization Framework](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/hWWbjrWLsHsFZGw_lOf5Hw "The ServiceNow Localization Framework application standardizes and enhances the translation process of artifacts across the platform through configurable workflows. Such artifacts include ServiceNow Service Catalog items, Virtual Agent topics, Natural Language Understanding models, and Document Templates of ServiceNow HR Service Delivery.").

## Procedure

1. [Create a language record](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/nt5SYP5zRPoQ3eAkHWUDjQ "Add a record for a language not provided by an internationalization (I18N) plugin to associate new translations with.") for the unsupported language.
2. Export and translate the strings that you want to translate, as described in [Export and edit translation records](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/nw7FBFzmTHaJdlLlkrKW0w#t_TranslateTheInterface "Export translation records to translate to additional languages in your preferred translation environment and import the new or edited translation records through import sets.").
3. Import the translated document back into the instance as an import set, as described in [Import a translation from an Excel spreadsheet](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/nw7FBFzmTHaJdlLlkrKW0w#t_ImportATranslationFromExcel "The System Import Sets application contains import tables and corresponding transform maps to assist with importing translations from an Excel spreadsheet.").
4. [Create a language choice for users](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/yCQnmTGLeyMJjE3f6RryPw "Allow users to select the language as a valid option in the language picker or a user record.") to select the new language.
{#self-localize__steps_dwd_mv1_4y}
**Related reference**   

* [Translation tables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/q6IL8QaIYEPLD_k3arJ7xw "ServiceNow stores translation information in these tables.")