PO file format

A PO file contains pairs of source text (msgid) and translated text (msgstr), alongside contextual information such as comments, developer notes and references to where the string appears in the code. This structure makes it easy for translators and localization tools to manage content efficiently while maintaining context and consistency.

PO files are particularly common in open-source software, web applications and Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress. Their simplicity and readability make them ideal for integration into computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and continuous localization workflows. RWS supports PO file localization through its localization technology ecosystem – powered by Trados and Language Weaver. These platforms enable the extraction, translation and reintegration of text strings while preserving functionality and context, ensuring localized software is accurate, consistent and fully operational across languages and regions.