Power BI Solution with Multilingual Support

The blog post, authored by Marc Lelijveld (Data – Marc) [MVP], discusses the subject of multilingual support in data solution tools, with a primary focus on Power BI. It outlines how global businesses may need to cater to various languages and cultures simultaneously. The usage of only English may not fit many business contexts, hence the need to offer support in other languages concerning this data tool.

Lelijveld elaborates the process of translating the metadata of Power BI to match different cultures and demographics. Additionally, the writer deciphers how different aspects such as visual titles and data translation could be handled. The rationale behind these translations is given more profound meaning with reference to businesses focused on localized setups.

Meta data translations in Power BI prove to be a comprehensive subject. The author sought to add his thoughts and experiences to existing views, expressing diverse ways to implement these translations. The use of external tools such as Tabular Editor 2 and Metadata Translator is highlighted. These tools play a significant role in translating metadata into several languages, improving the usability of Power BI for non-English users.

A clear illustration of how this tool works is provided, with screenshots showing a simplified data model and its translation into Dutch and German. Lelijveld indicates that the Metadata translator is highly beneficial, given that your model already has decent names for all objects.

Detailed Insights on Meta Data Translations

Nonetheless, translating all metadata will not immediately impact your report. Alterations to report titles can lead to hardcoding, which will not automatically adjust based on user culture. The author brings in DAX expression - USERCULTURE, a transformative mechanism that dynamically adapts visual titles according to the user's cultural setting. It is known to be more effective if applied in measures to achieve dynamic performance.

However, metadata translations don’t translate data within the model. For instance, a product named "Bike" will remain as so in all languages. Chris Webb introduced a workaround using the composite model concept to translate actual data. This requires having a column in the tables for each supported language, which could increase the model size impacting performance. Therefore, optimizing data for multilingual users presents its challenges, and businesses should consider this factor when establishing their data solutions.

To find more information on translations, visit this link.

This detailed explanation on Power BI's multi-language adaptations offers an insightful view on how businesses can globalize their data solutions. Tailoring user experiences to suit different cultures not only increases product adoptability but also improves user satisfaction.

Read the full article Multilingual Support in Your Power BI Solution

Learn about Multilingual Support in Your Power BI Solution

Implementing multilingual support in your [Business Intelligence software] solution is a critical task especially for organizations that operate globally. The importance of providing data and analytics to users in their native language cannot be overstated. Enabling translations for Tables, Columns, Measures, and metadata elevates the user experience and improves engagement with the solution.

• Why Translations Matter?

As we are working in an international business landscape, we often confront multiple languages. Translating your [Business Intelligence software] solution not only provides a personalized touch but also enhances the ease of use for non-English users. Moreover, it becomes essential since businesses tend to operate in local languages minimizing the reliance on English only. Certain key requirements, such as translating the solution for Dutch, Flemish (Belgium), French, and German speakers, further necessitate this translation implementation.

• Understanding Meta Data Translations

Translating metadata involves changing the object names and descriptions pivoted in a different language. The process can sometimes be cumbersome, needing a text editor for each language to export and import the translation file. However, tools like [Business Intelligence software]'s Metadata Translator simplifies the process by automatically translating your model into multiple languages utilizing Azure translation services. This offers a streamlined way of translating large amounts of information.

• Optimizing Translations with PascalCase & Underscores

PascalCase and Underscore naming conventions might seem complex but have a tangible impact on translations. The Metadata Translator can only translate effectively if your model has decent names for all objects. Ignoring this results in inaccurate data translations. Thus, it is always essential to validate the translations before applying them.

• Translating Visual Elements

Meta data translations don’t necessarily translate into your report. Translating default visual titles or altering them can affect the user's cultural setting. Using a DAX expression that captures the user culture makes sure that the visual title is accurately translated. This ensures that the visual title adjusts according to the user's language preference.

• Data Translations

Translating the actual data in the model is important for a complete localized experience. This might involve having a separate column in the table for each supported language, which widens the table. However, these wide tables are not always optimal for [Business Intelligence software] and can increase the model size. This approach should be utilized wisely to ensure the performance of the solution while translating the data for local users.

[Business Intelligence software] offers versatile tools and methodologies to implement translations in your analytics solution, improving usability and user engagement. Accurate translations make a significant difference in the adoptability of the solution across different user cultures.

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Keywords

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