ownloads Documentation Centre!- Introduction
- Installing Falang
- Install Language Packs
- System Language Filter
- Add your Falang ID
- Setup Previews language translation service
- Translate Menu Items
- Translate Article Categories
- Using the FaLang Language Switcher in the front end
- Install jDownloads language packs
- Configure jDownloads for use with Falang
Introduction
A different approach to creating a multilingual site is to add the Falang Component to a regular non-multilingual Joomla site. This article describes installing the Falang Component, which is available from Joomla extensions-Farlang (opens in a new window/tab), to add French and German languages
Typically a web site has are some 'regular' articles and article categories in English together with a Menu and Menu Items. The French and German versions are then created with Falang. Here we are using the 'Pro' version of Falang which may be used on many sites. This is a paid version. There are also versions that are restricted to a single site at a lower cost and a free version.
Falang is compatible with both Joomla 4 and Joomla 5. The following notes relate to installing faLang 5.18
Before starting with Falang ensure your site is working well.
Typically a web site has are some 'regular' articles and article categories in English together with a Menu and Menu Items. The French and German versions are then created with Falang. Here we are using the 'Pro' version of Falang which may be used on many sites. This is a paid version. There are also versions that are restricted to a single site at a lower cost and a free version.
Falang is compatible with both Joomla 4 and Joomla 5. The following notes relate to installing faLang 5.18
Before starting with Falang ensure your site is working well.
Installing Falang
This follows the usual procedure of installing a component. Here it is assumed that Falang has been downloaded and is located in a suitable directory on your PC or laptop.
In Joomla select the Home Menu and then click on the
buttonThis gives the system dashboard page.
Find the section
and click on 
.
This shows the various ways of installing an extension.
If using the
method then either browse for or drop the Falang Component zip file onto the web page.This goes through two stages:
Uploading and Installation. A progress bar is shown.
As well as the usual acknowledgement of a successful installation Falang shows a message such as illustrated opposite.
Two plugins and a module are also installed.
It also gives a message:
.
The actual plugins that have been added are shown opposite.
.The actual plugins that have been added are shown opposite.
Verify Installation
There are eight items that should have been installed as indicated opposite.
To find these items click on then in the 
section click on . Next set the Search to 
To find these items click on
then in the section click on . Next set the Search to If one or more are missing, then you need to re-install. If it fails again then contact Farlang (opens in a new window/tab)
Next we need to check the plugins. So go to . In the section search for 
. Set Falang into the search and click on the
This should bring up the view of five plugins as shown opposite. Ensure the Status is enabled 
.
. In the section search for . Set Falang into the search and click on the This should bring up the view of five plugins as shown opposite. Ensure the Status is enabled .Install Language Packs
It is convenient at this stage to install the relevant Joomla Language Packs. In this example we will install French and German.
First we will install the French Language Pack. So go to - then in the section click on 
. Next click on 
. Scroll down the list of languages to find French and click on the button.
This should reply with a message such as
. Repeat the process for German. At the time of writing both language packs were 5.3.0.1 .
Note if you had already installed languages with an earlier version of FaLang you might need to ReInstall them.
We now have to publish the languages. So in the section, this time click on 
.
First we will install the French Language Pack. So go to
- then in the section click on . Next click on . Scroll down the list of languages to find French and click on the button. This should reply with a message such as
. Repeat the process for German. At the time of writing both language packs were 5.3.0.1 .Note if you had already installed languages with an earlier version of FaLang you might need to ReInstall them.
We now have to publish the languages. So in the
section, this time click on .The recently installed languages will have a 
symbol. So Select both French and German and click on the symbol. They will now have a 
symbol indicating they are published.
symbol. So Select both French and German and click on the symbol. They will now have a symbol indicating they are published.System Language Filter
We also need the System-Language Filter and the System-Language Code plugins. The Web Service-Languages plugin is also useful. To find these click on . Then in section 
click on . Then in the Search Bar set 'language'. Then click on the Search bar 
.
. Then in section click on . Then in the Search Bar set 'language'. Then click on the Search bar .The three system language plugins are illustrated opposite. If they are not enabled, click on the 
to enable them
to enable themConfigure FaLang Language Switcher
Go to then in the section select 
. Then search for FaLang. This will show the 
module which we need to configure. Click on the module title to open it.
then in the section select . Then search for FaLang. This will show the module which we need to configure. Click on the module title to open it.In the 
tab on the righthand side select the Position. For the standard Joomla template it is usually 'sidebar-right' as shown.
Also ensure that Status is Published and Access is Public.
On the lefthand side ensure both Use Dropdown and Use advanced dropdown are both set to No.
Set the Options Horizontal Display, Active Language, Use Image Flags and Language Full Names to Yes and Show Name to No as illustrated opposite.
Leave both Pre-text and Post-text empty.
tab on the righthand side select the Position. For the standard Joomla template it is usually 'sidebar-right' as shown. Also ensure that Status is Published and Access is Public.
On the lefthand side ensure both Use Dropdown and Use advanced dropdown are both set to No.
Set the Options Horizontal Display, Active Language, Use Image Flags and Language Full Names to Yes and Show Name to No as illustrated opposite.
Leave both Pre-text and Post-text empty.
Now select the 
tab and ensure it is set to show on all pages.
Finally on the top bar click on
.
When the Language Switcher is viewed in the front-end as illustrated opposite, it shows support for German, French and English
A suitable Menu Item is Article Category List so click on the menu item name to get a view as shown opposite.
Ensure the item language is All.
Note the FaLang
buttons. These are added after the menu is Saved. They enable us to create the corresponding French and German Menu items as described below.
Actually there are two ways to initiate creating the equivalent French and German language equivalents.
One method is to use the menu item details as shown opposite.
The green top means the menu item has been translated satisfactorily. We now just need to publish the menu item.
This brings up the basic "translation page" with the Reference English on the Left side and space for the translated equivalent on the right side
Using a translation faciilty such as Deepl or Google in a separate window or tab, paste the English language text on the left side and set French as the target language.
When the translation is done copy the result into the appropriate part of the target.
Repeat until all parts have been translated
When all parts have been translated and copied back into the form then click on the
at the top of the form.
This gives a view of the English Language on the Left. Initially the righthand side items Title, Alias and so on are blank. As previously use the
button to copy the English from the left to the right. Copy an item on the 'French' side, then use the external translation service to translate this to French. Copy the translation over the original English part.
Actually there is in general no need to translate the Alias as it will be generated automatically if absent
Also note the need to ensure it is Published
The article shown opposite is the Hare and Tortoise in English
The article shown opposite is the Hare and Tortoise in French
The article shown opposite is the Hare and Tortoise in German
The first step is to go to the jDownloads documentation site (opens in a new tab/window) and then click on the Translations menu item as illustrated opposite.
Just scroll down to find the required language and click on the Title of that language.
Each language pack is a zip file with about 50 language files in it. These are for the component, modules and plugins that form jDownloads.
After selecting the required language, you will then see a list of the various translation parts of jDownloads, followed by a 'bar' indicating how much of each individual part has been translated as indicated opposite.
Scroll down to the
button
After clicking on it, you will be able to Save the zip file in a suitable folder on your site by clicking on the
button.
Personally, I use a folder called 'jD Language Files'.
The downloaded language pack is self- installing.
So use the normal Install as you would for any extension as indicated opposite.
Do NOT use the 'Install Languages'
Use, then in the section click on . Locate one of the downloaded language files you saved and load into the upload area. The installation starts as usual..
In this example, as illustrated opposite, we have a main category, called Test Dir with two subcategories called pdf files, with 2 published Downloads, and zip files, with 4 published Downloads.
The three images opposite all reference the same actual Download when shown in the jD Download Details view in the Front End.
Using the Farlang Language Switcher
selects the language in which they were displayed
The information has not changed, only the language it was displayed in. That is there is nothing to change in jDownloads itself.
Note: Sometimes when showing French then a text string may still be shown in English. This is because the French jD translation is not itself complete.
tab and ensure it is set to show on all pages. Finally on the top bar click on
.
When the Language Switcher is viewed in the front-end as illustrated opposite, it shows support for German, French and English
Add your Falang ID
There is a need to Download some "extra" plugins from the Falang site. For this you need to have your Download ID. To find your unique Download ID you need to login to your to your faboba account (opens in a new window/tab) Then at top select 
This shows a pulldown menu. Next click on 
.This will show your Download ID. So make a copy somewhere safe. Then enter your Download ID into 
- 
- 
- then at top right
- 
tab.and then copy the ID into the Download ID field as shown opposite
This shows a pulldown menu. Next click on .This will show your Download ID. So make a copy somewhere safe. Then enter your Download ID into - - - then at top right - tab.and then copy the ID into the Download ID field as shown oppositeSetup Previews language translation service
This Translation Service is required to provide Previews In Falang. The actual translations are done externally by say DeepL or Google Translate ( Each Link opens in a new window/tab). Google is free to use and DeepL has a free option.
Select then in the 
section at top left, click on 
. Below this, on the left hand side, is long list of Components in alphabetical order as illustrated opposite. Scroll down until you find 
. Now click on it.
This opens up a set of choices
Select
then in the section at top left, click on . Below this, on the left hand side, is long list of Components in alphabetical order as illustrated opposite. Scroll down until you find . Now click on it.This opens up a set of choices
This will allow selection of the actual translation service. In this example we will select Deepl as it has a free translation service as well as a paid one. So click on 
Use the Translation Service * pulldown to select Deepl.
Then ensure you set Yes in 'Use Deepl Free Version'
The actual translations are done externally. I have used either Google Translate or Deepl Free when creating language content in my demonstration site.
Then ensure you set Yes in 'Use Deepl Free Version'The actual translations are done externally. I have used either Google Translate or Deepl Free when creating language content in my demonstration site.
You will see a message 
and also a message 
NB As the latest version is already installed then there is no need for the Download ID at this stage.
and also a message NB As the latest version is already installed then there is no need for the Download ID at this stage.Click on then on and then on 
As shown opposite, there are some missing plugins.
To obtain these additional plugins you need to be Logged in to your fabola account (opens in a new window/tab) . There you will find a zip file. After downloading to your device and saving in a suitable folder unzip the file. It contains four 'installable' zip files:
1. plg_content_falangtag_v2.0.zip
2. plg_finder_falangcontent_v2.8.zip
3. plg_system_falangmissing_v1.8.zip
4. wetransfer_plugin-falang_2025-02-13_1040.zip
The first three are required, the fourth one is optional
Install as normalthen in the
section select
After Installing the extra plugins, ensure they are enabled as shown on the second image on the right.
then on and then on As shown opposite, there are some missing plugins.
To obtain these additional plugins you need to be Logged in to your fabola account (opens in a new window/tab) . There you will find a zip file. After downloading to your device and saving in a suitable folder unzip the file. It contains four 'installable' zip files:
1. plg_content_falangtag_v2.0.zip
2. plg_finder_falangcontent_v2.8.zip
3. plg_system_falangmissing_v1.8.zip
4. wetransfer_plugin-falang_2025-02-13_1040.zip
The first three are required, the fourth one is optional
Install as normal
then in the section select After Installing the extra plugins, ensure they are enabled as shown on the second image on the right.
Translate Menu Items
The first action is to add menu items to the Main Menu. This will then allow checking in the front end on the progress as items are added.
A suitable Menu Item is Article Category List so click on the menu item name to get a view as shown opposite.
Ensure the item language is All.
Note the FaLang
buttons. These are added after the menu is Saved. They enable us to create the corresponding French and German Menu items as described below.Actually there are two ways to initiate creating the equivalent French and German language equivalents.
One method is to use the menu item details as shown opposite.
The other method is to click on 
, and then click on the 
, and then click on the This shows the Article Category List menu item for English. Note the two FaLang status buttons on the far right 
.
. These are the FaLang 'buttons' to initiate making the equivalent French and German corresponding menu items. The Status of the 'buttons' is explained below. Basically, the red 'bar' at the top and the red 'dot' at bottom right indicate that no translation of this menu item has been made.
Note It is essential that you use the
Button each time after you have added all the translations for each menu item
Note It is essential that you use the
Button each time after you have added all the translations for each menu itemNOTE FaLang does not do any translations itself. It provides the infrastructure and organisation. I used either Deepl or Google Translate as both have free versions.
FaLang Status Indicators
As indicated in the image opposite there are FaLang status indicators, such as 
, showing the 'status' of each menu item.
, showing the 'status' of each menu item.Interpreting Farlang Status indicator
Before discussing the actual menu translation sequence, it is useful to be made aware of the FaLang status indicators in the 'Farlang column as noted above.
There are two status indicators, one is a coloured line on the top and the other is a coloured 'dot' at bottom right'.
The indicators are independent of each other.
The various combinations of these status indicators are:
There are two status indicators, one is a coloured line on the top and the other is a coloured 'dot' at bottom right'.
The indicators are independent of each other.
The various combinations of these status indicators are:
Status indicator means that the menu item meets FaLang requirements for that language'
means that the menu item meets FaLang requirements for that language'Status indicator probably means that we have not started the FaLang translation steps. Basically no translation steps have been made yet for the particular menu item.
probably means that we have not started the FaLang translation steps. Basically no translation steps have been made yet for the particular menu item.The orange top on the Status Indicatormeans we have set 'Use Original Parameter' to be used.
It shows as
.
We should have
which means we are not using the original parameters in the translated menu item.
means we have set 'Use Original Parameter' to be used.It shows as
.We should have
which means we are not using the original parameters in the translated menu item.The Red Button at bottom right means the menu item is not Published.
means the menu item is not Published.The green top means the menu item has been translated satisfactorily. We now just need to publish the menu item.Create corresponding menu items for Other Languages
The English menu item now has buttons as shown on the righthand side.
To generate the equivalent French menu click on the
button.
buttons as shown on the righthand side.To generate the equivalent French menu click on the
button.This brings up the basic "translation page" with the Reference English on the Left side and space for the translated equivalent on the right side
Now use the button which will copy the English on the left to the French side on the right. At this stage it will of course still be in English.
We are now able to copy those parts on the righthand side.
button which will copy the English on the left to the French side on the right. At this stage it will of course still be in English.We are now able to copy those parts on the righthand side.
Using a translation faciilty such as Deepl or Google in a separate window or tab, paste the English language text on the left side and set French as the target language.
When the translation is done copy the result into the appropriate part of the target.
Repeat until all parts have been translated
When all parts have been translated and copied back into the form then click on the
at the top of the form.Now repeat the entire process for the German language by clicking on the 
in the Article Category List menu item
in the Article Category List menu itemTranslate Article Categories
In the test website there is an article category with the name 'Article Category List'.
Note that there is a column called FaLang with French and German options,
.
So to generate say the French translation click on the FR option
Note that there is a column called FaLang with French and German options,
.So to generate say the French translation click on the FR option
This gives a view of the English Language on the Left. Initially the righthand side items Title, Alias and so on are blank. As previously use the
button to copy the English from the left to the right. Copy an item on the 'French' side, then use the external translation service to translate this to French. Copy the translation over the original English part.Actually there is in general no need to translate the Alias as it will be generated automatically if absent
Also note the need to ensure it is Published
Using the FaLang Language Switcher in the front end
The article shown opposite is the Hare and Tortoise in English
The article shown opposite is the Hare and Tortoise in French
The article shown opposite is the Hare and Tortoise in German
Install jDownloads language packs
First please note that installing a language for jDownloads, or any other non-core component, does not use the Install Languages in the Extensions Manager. That is just for installing languages for Joomla! itself.
Basically the process is to download the appropriate jDownloads language pack and then install as if it were a regular extension.
Also note that the same translations are used for both jDownloads 3.9 and jDownloads 4.x
Basically the process is to download the appropriate jDownloads language pack and then install as if it were a regular extension.
Also note that the same translations are used for both jDownloads 3.9 and jDownloads 4.x
Find jDownloads Translation
The first step is to go to the jDownloads documentation site (opens in a new tab/window) and then click on the Translations menu item as illustrated opposite.
The translations are for the jDownloads Component, all the modules and all the plugins;
Note the restriction in red text - we are trying to resolve this.
The language files are listed below this message.
Note the restriction in red text - we are trying to resolve this.
The language files are listed below this message.
Just scroll down to find the required language and click on the Title of that language.
Each language pack is a zip file with about 50 language files in it. These are for the component, modules and plugins that form jDownloads.
After selecting the required language, you will then see a list of the various translation parts of jDownloads, followed by a 'bar' indicating how much of each individual part has been translated as indicated opposite.
Some translations may be incomplete. What happens is that if a particular language string is missing then jDownloads uses the corresponding one from the English language pack. From time to time you should recheck the jDownloads language files to see if they have been updated.
Scroll down to the
buttonAfter clicking on it, you will be able to Save the zip file in a suitable folder on your site by clicking on the
button. Personally, I use a folder called 'jD Language Files'.
Install jD language
The downloaded language pack is self- installing.
So use the normal Install as you would for any extension as indicated opposite.
Do NOT use the 'Install Languages'
Use
, then in the section click on . Locate one of the downloaded language files you saved and load into the upload area. The installation starts as usual..Note that the German language files are already installed in jDownloads. So in this example only the French language needed to be Downloaded.
You now have the specific jDownloads language files in place.
You now have the specific jDownloads language files in place.
For example, the French language files for the jD component, modules and plugins are then installed in 'administrator/language/fr-FR' files.
These are organised by the language codes so for example the French language file for the component would be in 'administrator/language/fr-FR/fr-FR.com_jdownloads.ini' and similarly the Top Module language is in 'administrator/language/fr-FR/fr-FR.mod_jdownloads_top.ini' .
These are organised by the language codes so for example the French language file for the component would be in 'administrator/language/fr-FR/fr-FR.com_jdownloads.ini' and similarly the Top Module language is in 'administrator/language/fr-FR/fr-FR.mod_jdownloads_top.ini' .
Configure jDownloads for use with Falang
jDownloads has Categories and Downloads. The jD categories are like Article categories complete with sub categories A Download has a title, an alias, permissions, access level, user access, a publication status, a language attribute and it is located in a jD category. Optionally it may also have descriptions, symbols, images, previews, price, licence and many other items. All of these are stored in the database.
A Download includes a downloadable file. The downloadable file itself is not in the database. In most cases it is stored on your site in a sub-directory of the jDownloads directory, but it may also be stored on an external site, see downloads on external site (opens in new window/tab) for more information.
For a particular jD category and Download then with Falang the same file will be downloaded irrespective of the current language. This is the norm for multilingual sites.
With Components such as jDownloads, Falang adopts a different strategy to effect translations in the front end. Basically, the Language Switcher just changes which component language file is used.
A Download includes a downloadable file. The downloadable file itself is not in the database. In most cases it is stored on your site in a sub-directory of the jDownloads directory, but it may also be stored on an external site, see downloads on external site (opens in new window/tab) for more information.
For a particular jD category and Download then with Falang the same file will be downloaded irrespective of the current language. This is the norm for multilingual sites.
With Components such as jDownloads, Falang adopts a different strategy to effect translations in the front end. Basically, the Language Switcher just changes which component language file is used.
In this example, as illustrated opposite, we have a main category, called Test Dir with two subcategories called pdf files, with 2 published Downloads, and zip files, with 4 published Downloads.
The three images opposite all reference the same actual Download when shown in the jD Download Details view in the Front End.
Using the Farlang Language Switcher
selects the language in which they were displayedThe information has not changed, only the language it was displayed in. That is there is nothing to change in jDownloads itself.
Note: Sometimes when showing French then a text string may still be shown in English. This is because the French jD translation is not itself complete.
ColinM February 2025, Updated May 2025