Definition
A Draft Translation is a translated version of a Knowledge article that is in draft status and has not yet been published. Translators can edit and refine translations before approval and publication to ensure quality and accuracy.
Real-World Example
a CRM manager at Summit Group recently implemented Draft Translation to centralize important business data in one place. With Draft Translation configured to match their workflow, the team can quickly find relevant information, track changes over time, and generate reports that drive strategic decisions.
Why Draft Translation Matters
A Draft Translation in Salesforce Knowledge is a translated version of an article in draft status, awaiting review and publication. Multilingual Knowledge bases typically have one master article version and multiple translated versions, each in its own language. Translators (internal staff or external translation services) work on the draft translation, refine it for accuracy and tone, and the team reviews it before publication.
Salesforce Knowledge supports multiple translation workflows. Some orgs translate manually with internal staff or professional translators; others use the Translation Workbench combined with external translation management systems for high-volume content. Either way, translations live as drafts until they're approved and published. Quality matters: a translation that's published in draft form (incomplete, unedited, or machine-translated without review) can damage trust with customers in that language. Treating translation drafts with the same rigor as English drafts is essential for any multilingual Knowledge program.
How Organizations Use Draft Translation
- •Vertex Global — Maintains German, French, and Japanese versions of every Knowledge article. Translators work on draft translations after the English version is published, with each language reviewed by a native-speaking SME before publication.
- •Coastal Health — Uses an external translation management system that returns draft translations to Salesforce. The drafts go through internal review before being published to non-English channels.
- •NovaScale — Treats translation review with the same rigor as English review. Bad translations are caught before they reach customers, protecting brand trust.