> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.textsetu.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Translation Memory (TM)

> Reuse previously translated segments so you translate each sentence once.

**Translation memory** stores your previously translated **segments** (a source
phrase and its translations) and reuses them. When you translate a string whose
source matches something already in the TM, TextSetu suggests the stored
translation — so you translate each sentence once, not over and over.

A translation memory is a first-class object in TextSetu (alongside projects and
glossaries), and one TM can apply to multiple projects.

***

## What a TM contains

A translation memory holds **entries** (segments). Each entry has:

* A **source text** (e.g. "Add to Bag", "Your order has shipped").
* An optional **context** to disambiguate identical source strings.
* A **translation per language**.

Entries are the reusable units that power suggestions.

## How TM helps while translating

Once a TM applies to a project, it works automatically in the editor:

* When you edit a value, TextSetu compares the **source text** to TM entries.
* If a stored entry matches at **≥75%** (exact or fuzzy), it's offered in the
  **TM suggestion panel**.
* Click a suggestion to drop the stored translation into the cell — then tweak if
  needed.

This is the single biggest time-saver for products with repetitive copy
(buttons, statuses, transactional emails).

## Managing a TM

A translation memory has its own workspace:

| Area                    | Purpose                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Entries**             | Add, edit, and remove segments and their per-language translations                                                                            |
| **Languages**           | Which languages the TM covers                                                                                                                 |
| **Applicable projects** | Which projects this TM applies to                                                                                                             |
| **Import**              | Bring entries in from CSV or TMX                                                                                                              |
| **Export**              | Download as CSV or TMX                                                                                                                        |
| **Activity**            | The TM's change log                                                                                                                           |
| **Access**              | Who can manage this TM                                                                                                                        |
| **Settings**            | **General** (name, description; Save), **Matching** (source language, minimum match %, penalties; Save), and **Workflow** (approval required) |

Secondary areas (Import, Export, Languages, Activity, Access, Settings, Applicable
projects) live under a **More** menu in the TM's tab strip.

In **Settings**, the General and Matching cards each have their own **Save**
button, while the Workflow toggle **saves automatically**; turning **approval off
discards** any in-progress entry proposals awaiting review.

On the **Entries** list, the **Filters** panel narrows by missing-in-language and
approval status, with removable chips.

Each entry keeps its own **history** of changes.

## Importing and exporting

* **CSV** — columns for `source_text`, `context`, then one column per language.
* **TMX** — the industry-standard Translation Memory eXchange format (TMX 1.4),
  for interoperability with other tools. Available for both import and export.

See [Import & Export](/docs/guides/import-export) and the
[file formats reference](/docs/reference/file-formats).

## Keeping the TM in sync

When a source string changes, TextSetu can prompt you about affected TM entries so
your memory stays accurate rather than suggesting stale translations.

***

## TM vs. Glossary — what's the difference?

|             | Glossary                                                     | Translation Memory                                  |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Unit        | A **term** (word/phrase) with rules                          | A **segment** (whole source string ↔ translation)   |
| Purpose     | Enforce *correct terminology*                                | Reuse *whole translations*                          |
| Enforcement | Suggestions **and** QA checks (forbidden / do-not-translate) | Suggestions only (fuzzy match)                      |
| Example     | "Cart" is forbidden; use "Bag"                               | "Add to Bag" → reuse the stored Spanish translation |

Use both together: the glossary keeps individual terms right, the TM reuses entire
sentences.

***

Related: [Glossary](/docs/guides/glossary) · [Translating](/docs/guides/translating) · [Import & Export](/docs/guides/import-export)