This article was originally published on LearningGuild.com

 

This article draws on firsthand experience to outline the key stages of content preparation, translation, and post-processing within the Articulate Storyline 360 environment. Instead of looking at program features, we focus on practical aspects of localization, including typical tasks, common errors, and best practices for maintaining high quality and linguistic consistency across locales. While intended for localization professionals, the insights are equally valuable for global training managers planning to scale their internal learning programs across languages and regions.

Stage 1. Analysis and preparation for translation

Font compatibility

During Storyline initialization, missing fonts are displayed in a separate dialog box:

Missing Fonts dialog box

You should check if these fonts support the target languages. Storyline does not warn about missing characters in target languages; it automatically uses system fonts instead.

Garbled display of target language characters due to font issues

This can cause subtle inconsistencies: while most of the text will appear visually correct, certain characters will be rendered in a different font.

Language-specific characters rendered in a different system font

Detecting this can be tricky, so it’s best to check fonts on a larger text sample using a tool like Adobe InDesign. Paste a paragraph with characters specific to the target language, apply the original font, and any missing characters will be highlighted in red.

Image text

Textual elements within images may be non-editable but require localization. To view a complete list of images, navigate to the Media Library under the View tab.

The MediaLibrary panel

The Media Library also shows slide assignments for images:

Button to jump to the location of an image file

To streamline text inspection, you can export images as separate files.

Image export button

The next step is to identify and select elements that need to be prepared for translation.

Because images can be incorporated into animations or associated with object groups, we recommend preparing textual elements within images by exporting them to an external file (such as a bilingual DOCX table) rather than processing them directly in Storyline. Integrating text frames directly into the project file will substantially increase the complexity of the setup needed to maintain animations and related elements.

In addition, one image can be referenced across different slides. To be efficient, we should prepare it once and then replace it once after translation.

Video and audio

As with images, the Media Library provides functionality to view and export audio and video files used in the project:

Audio and Video tabs in the Media Library

At this stage, identify the video and audio files to be prepared for translation. This process can include exporting on-screen text, preparing subtitles, and replacing voice-overs. Preparation of video and audio for translation is a separate process with numerous intricacies.

Layers and slide masters

Some slides may incorporate layers and slide masters (templates that define layout and design across multiple slides):

Layer organization dialog boxSlide master organization dialog box

Both layers and slide masters should be taken into account when estimating the workload, as there can be quite a few of them, and processing them will take time.

Button states

Individual slide elements can have multiple states:

An element in various states

States are typically used for button elements and similar interactive controls. The text within different states can vary, and this needs to be considered when analyzing the workload.

Export for translation

There are two export formats available for translation: XLIFF and DOCX. The choice is up to the client.

The export panel

When exporting to DOCX, the number of slides, layers, templates, and other assets important for a general understanding of the scope of work is indicated in the report at the beginning of the file.

Stage 2. Translation

The translation stage begins after completing analysis and exporting. Beyond technical accuracy, translations need to be contextually coherent, particularly given that the same element may have multiple uses throughout the course.

Key considerations during translation include:

• Ensuring accurate and complete translation of all elements, such as states, layers, and masters
• Finalizing glossaries and stylistic specifications
• Using CAT tools that support XLIFF, where applicable

Bear in mind that insufficient context (such as the absence of screenshots) can compromise the quality of the translation output. Hence, we suggest giving linguists a DOCX report or credentials to access a preview environment.

Stage 3. Post-translation

Translation import

Importing is identical to exporting. First, select the required format:

Translation import dialog box

It is common for errors to arise during importing. A prevalent cause of import errors is the lack of successful alignment between source and target texts. Storyline does not report the cause of an error. Pay special attention to the target language during formatting.

Formatting

Storyline is not equipped with automatic text scaling functionality. Therefore, if translated phrases become longer (which often happens), you should:

• Manually adjust fields and fonts
• Review the layout of all slides, focusing on those incorporating interactive elements

If styles were used in the project, they can be reapplied; however, their infrequent application during course development adds complexity to the process.

Font replacement

Use the Replace Fonts tab, located within the Home —> Paragraph —> Find/Replace menu, to perform a global font replacement across the entire file.

Replace Fonts dialog box

Multimedia replacement

To replace localized images, video, and audio, use the Replace option in the Media Library.

Multimedia replacement dialog box

The system automatically updates a replaced file across all slides where it is used.

Subtitles

Subtitles can be added to audio and video elements. All standard formats are supported: SRT, VTT, SBV, and SUB.

AI-powered audio generation

Storyline features AI-powered voice generation. Using Insert Text-to-Speech functionality, a voice can be synthesized from text through AI Audio.

Audio generation dialog box

Publishing and quality assurance

Storyline supports a range of publishing formats.

Publish dialog box

Critical steps before the final version is generated:

• Agree on the publishing format with the client.
• Perform a quality assurance check using Review 360, a user-friendly tool for text verification and commenting that is particularly useful when the workflow includes multiple contributors (linguists, designers, and the client). A notable feature of Review 360 is its integrated display of both the slide identifier and its visual preview.

Conclusion

Effective localization of e-learning content using Articulate Storyline 360 requires an end-to-end approach, from meticulous content preparation through post-processing and on to generation of the final version. The way interface elements, slide arrangements, multimedia integration, interactivity, and hidden content are implemented sets this localization process apart from those of other software.

Gaining a deep understanding of Storyline helps project teams avoid hidden pitfalls, streamline the workflow, and reduce costs caused by revisions and backtracking. More importantly, it enables a consistent user experience across languages, which is critical for global learning effectiveness.

In our experience, success in Storyline localization is rarely about translation alone. It comes from working with teams who specialize in e-learning workflows — teams who understand both the tool and the learning context, and who can collaborate early with content owners to flag risks before they become blockers.

Organizations that treat e-learning localization as a strategic function, not a final step, gain the ability to launch multilingual courses faster, with greater confidence in quality and learner engagement. Ultimately, the result is learning content that performs consistently, resonates culturally, and helps global teams thrive.