Localization Framework integration with Catalog Builder

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Localization Framework integration with Catalog Builder

    The Localization Framework integration with Catalog Builder in the Zurich release enables ServiceNow customers to efficiently manage and translate Service Catalog items. Through the Translation Status tab on the Catalog Builder dashboard, users can monitor translation progress and perform translations either manually or via machine translation. This integration supports streamlined localization processes to better serve global users.

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    Prerequisites

    • Localization Framework Installer plugin for Service Catalog: Enables Localization Framework capabilities within Service Catalog and Catalog Builder.
    • Dynamic Translation plugin: Provides on-the-fly machine translation functionality.

    Translation Modes

    The system supports two main translation modes configurable via the glide.sc.catalogbuilder.localization.enablerequesttranslationmode property:

    • Request Translation Mode (property set to True):
      • For new catalog items, a Request translations step appears during item creation, allowing selection of target languages.
      • For existing items, users can request translations from the Translation Status tab by selecting desired languages. Upon confirmation, a localization task is generated, and translation states update accordingly.
      • Translation states include: Not available, Not translated, Translations requested, Partially translated, and Translated.
      • When a localization task completes, translation status updates and users can re-request translations if needed.
    • Self-translation (ad hoc) Mode (property set to False, default):
      • Users manually edit translations via the Translation Status tab by comparing source and target language texts side by side.
      • Allows direct control over translation content without requiring localization tasks.
      • Translation states similarly indicate completeness of translations.

    Translation States

    The translation status for each language on a catalog item helps track progress and quality:

    • Not available: No Localization Framework record exists for the language.
    • Not translated: No translations exist for the item in the language.
    • Translations requested: A localization task is active for the language (Request translation mode only).
    • Partially translated: Some fields are translated, others are not.
    • Translated: All fields are fully translated.

    Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    This integration enables customers to efficiently manage multilingual Service Catalogs by providing visibility into translation status and flexible translation workflows. It supports automated translation requests and manual editing, helping organizations maintain accurate and comprehensive catalog content across languages, improving end-user experience and accelerating catalog deployment in global markets.

    The Translation Status tab in the Catalog items tab on the Catalog Builder dashboard enables you to view the translation status of catalog items, and translate catalog items on the fly using manual or machine translation methods.

    Confirm that the following plugins are installed before you start using Localization Framework in Catalog Builder:

    1. Localization Framework Installer plugin for Service Catalog: The plugin enables the Localization Framework capabilities in Service Catalog and Catalog Builder.
    2. Dynamic Translation plugin: Enables on-the-fly machine translation capabilities.

    Translate catalog items information using one of the following modes:

    • Request Translation mode
    • Self-translation (ad hoc) mode

    Request translation mode for new catalog items

    Set the glide.sc.catalog_builder.localization.enable_request_translation_mode property to True, to enable the Request translations mode.

    When you create item, the Request translations step appears in the wizard steps region. Select Browse to view and select the languages you want to translate the catalog item information to.

    For more information, see Request translations for Service Catalog items.

    Request translation mode for existing items

    Set the glide.sc.catalog_builder.localization.enable_request_translation_mode property to True, to enable the Request translations mode is enabled.

    On the Catalog Items tab, select the existing item that you want translated, then select the Translation status tab on the right pane (next to the Item details tab). You would see the list of languages configured in the system along with the state of that language for the catalog item and a Request translations link to request for a translation.

    Select the Request translations link below the language you want the translations for. A dialog appears prompting you to confirm the translation request. When you confirm the translation request on the Translation status tab, a localization task gets generated and its corresponding Localization item record ("LRITMXXXXXXX") shows up in place of the Request translations link. The state for that specific language changes to Translations requested.

    When the localization task completes in Localization Framework, the Request translations link comes back which you can use to request for translations again. The state changes to Translated, Partially translated, or Not translated on the Translation status tab, depending on whether the translations occur for all fields, some fields, or no fields in the table.

    For more information, see Request translations for Service Catalog items.

    Self-translation (ad hoc) mode

    Set the glide.sc.catalog_builder.localization.enable_request_translation_mode property to False to enable self-translation mode. The default value for this property is False.

    In the Catalog Items tab, select the existing item you want translated, then select the Translation status tab on the right pane (next to the Item Details tab). The list of languages configured in the system is displayed, along with the state of that language for the catalog item and an Edit translations link to edit the translation.

    Select the Edit translations link to open another tab that contains two comparison UI regions: The left region is the source language, and the right region is the target or translated language. You can compare the language translation side by side in the page, and make changes if required.

    For more information, see Request ad hoc translation for Service Catalog items.

    Translation States

    Table 1. Translation states for both modes
    State Mode Description
    Not available Request translation and Self-translation If the Localization Framework Insights record is not available, the translation state displayed by the system is Not Available, and the state appears near the language name.
    Not translated Request translation and Self-translation If there are no translations in the system for that specific catalog item for that language, the state Not Translated appears near the language name.
    Translations requested Request translation If there is an active LRTIM associated with a language for the item, the state Translations requested appears near the language name.
    Partially translated Request translation and Self-translation If there are partial translations in the system for that specific catalog item for that language, the state Partially Translated appears near the language name.
    Translated Request translation and Self-translation If all translations for that specific catalog item for that language exist in the system, the state Translated appears near the language name.