> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.itranslator.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.itranslator.app/amazing-features/automatic-translation.md).

# Automatic-Translation

Translate every message of a channel automatically, into one or several languages.

Automatic-Translation is the most powerful feature of iTranslator. It reads the messages sent in the channels you choose, translates them and posts the result in the same channel or in other ones, in the style and format you want.

<figure><img src="https://3955709218-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuW8Vjy8RHWcWMwcAWdcy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2292d88c674b9a0ddb2523dc1612628e1b2458ff%2Fautotranslate1.gif?alt=media" alt="Messages sent in a channel are translated automatically"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## How it works

Everything is based on **configurations**. A configuration says: *messages from these source channels are translated into these languages and sent to these target channels*.

* Each configuration has a unique **name** that you choose (up to 16 characters: letters, numbers, `-` and `_`). It is how you refer to it afterwards.
* The target channel can be the source channel itself (translations appear right under the original message) or a different channel (one channel per language, for example).
* A server can have up to 30 configurations on the free plan, and an unlimited number with [Premium](/overview/premium.md).

<table><thead><tr><th width="330"></th><th>Free</th><th>Premium &#x26; Pro</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Configurations</td><td>30</td><td>Unlimited</td></tr><tr><td>Target languages per configuration</td><td>1</td><td>Unlimited</td></tr><tr><td>Source and target channels per configuration</td><td>1 of each</td><td>Unlimited</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-channels.md#using-categories-as-channels">Categories as channels</a></td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-style-and-format.md#format">Custom message format</a></td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Create a configuration

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Dashboard" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the Auto-Translation page

Open your server in the [dashboard](/fundamentals/dashboard.md) and go to **Translations → Auto-Translation**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add a configuration

Click **Add a configuration** and fill in the form: a name, the source and target channels, and the target languages. Every other field is optional and explained in [Configure options](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-options.md).

<figure><img src="https://3955709218-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuW8Vjy8RHWcWMwcAWdcy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8ecbe93d4e2c5318a2079be9aaa28eb4fcbbf1f2%2Fdashboard-autotranslate-modal.png?alt=media" alt="The Add a configuration form of the dashboard" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save

Click **Save**. Messages are translated from that moment on.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Command" %}
Run `/autotranslate create`:

<figure><img src="https://3955709218-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuW8Vjy8RHWcWMwcAWdcy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e503362e32914fb3e0f85cc156489bb49e2999c4%2Fimage%20(4).png?alt=media" alt="The /autotranslate create command with its arguments"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<table><thead><tr><th width="179">Argument</th><th width="411">Explanation</th><th>Optional</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>name</code></td><td>The unique name of your configuration, used to refer to it later.</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><code>source_channel</code></td><td>The channel in which iTranslator reads the messages to translate. With <a href="/overview/premium.md">Premium</a>, it can also be a <strong>category</strong>.</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><code>target_channel</code></td><td>The channel in which the translations are sent. It can be the same as the source channel. With <a href="/overview/premium.md">Premium</a>, it can also be a <strong>category</strong>.</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><code>target_language</code></td><td>The language into which the messages are translated.</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><code>source_language</code></td><td>The language of the messages sent in the source channel. It <a href="/pages/NIeCO6NiJy5up6aKF1gt#1.-provide-a-source-language">improves the accuracy</a>, but the messages must really be written in that language.</td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table>

More channels and languages can be added afterwards: see [Configure channels](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-channels.md) and [Configure languages](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-languages.md).
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Manage your configurations

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Dashboard" %}
The **Auto-Translation** page lists every configuration with its channels and languages. Use the search field to find one, **Edit** to change it and **Delete** to remove it.

<figure><img src="https://3955709218-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuW8Vjy8RHWcWMwcAWdcy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2a5f7c8f4baea8948c413247b28af8ecbad4e08d%2Fdashboard-autotranslate.png?alt=media" alt="The list of Auto-Translate configurations in the dashboard"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Commands" %}

| Command                     | What it does                                  |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `/autotranslate list`       | Lists all your configurations.                |
| `/autotranslate display`    | Shows every setting of one configuration.     |
| `/autotranslate config ...` | Changes one setting of a configuration.       |
| `/autotranslate rename`     | Renames a configuration.                      |
| `/autotranslate delete`     | Deletes a configuration.                      |
| `/autotranslate delete-all` | Deletes all the configurations of the server. |
| `/autotranslate help`       | Displays a summary of the feature.            |

See [Display configurations](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/display-configurations.md) for an example of the output.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Required permissions

{% hint style="danger" %}
iTranslator needs the **View Channel**, **Send Messages**, **Manage Webhooks**, **Manage Messages** and **Embed Links** permissions in **every channel** it works in, sources and targets. Please check them before reporting an issue.
{% endhint %}

## Go further

{% content-ref url="/pages/YlLEWkIgq6CsQ77Dq14K" %}
[Configure style & format](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-style-and-format.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/vJJugvQCfqCE2derzXuR" %}
[Configure channels](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-channels.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/D98mXy8PYZUj8BrQw06k" %}
[Configure languages](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-languages.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/yitoR9KOg90qV3BrR6sG" %}
[Configure options](/amazing-features/automatic-translation/configure-options.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% hint style="info" %}
We keep improving this system. Send us your suggestions on our [Discord Server](https://discord.itranslator.app).
{% endhint %}


---

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