Internationalization (i18n) is a crucial aspect of modern enterprise applications, enabling software to be adapted for different languages, regions, and cultural norms without engineering changes to the core code. SAP Fiori Elements, as a metadata-driven UI framework, offers robust support for internationalization to help organizations deliver consistent user experiences across the globe.
This article explores how to configure SAP Fiori Elements applications for internationalization, covering best practices, configuration steps, and important considerations.
SAP Fiori Elements provides internationalization support through:
i18n folder.i18n_en.properties (English), i18n_de.properties (German).Example:
# i18n.properties
welcomeMessage=Welcome to SAP Fiori Elements
buttonSave=Save
@Common.Label, @UI.LineItem, @UI.FieldGroup and other UI annotations in CDS views.Example CDS annotation:
@UI.lineItem: [{ position: 10, label: 'Sales Order' }]
define view ZSalesOrder {
key SalesOrderID: String;
// ...
}
Translation is managed in the backend or via SAP Translation Hub.
| Best Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Avoid Hardcoding Text | Always use resource bundles or annotations for all user-facing text. |
| Centralize Translations | Use SAP standard translation tools to maintain consistency. |
| Test with Multiple Languages | Validate UI in all supported languages, including RTL scripts. |
| Consider Text Length Variations | Account for longer or shorter translations in UI layout. |
| Leverage Locale-Aware Controls | Use SAPUI5 controls that inherently support localization. |
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Missing Translations | Ensure all resource bundles are complete and use fallback languages if needed. |
| Incorrect Formatting | Verify locale settings in backend and frontend; configure proper user locale. |
| Custom Controls Not Localized | Extend custom controls to read from i18n bundles and support RTL. |
| Performance Overhead | Cache resource bundles and minimize dynamic loading where possible. |
Configuring SAP Fiori Elements for internationalization is essential for delivering globally consistent and culturally relevant applications. By externalizing texts, using annotations, leveraging SAP’s translation tools, and enabling locale-aware formatting, developers can create flexible apps that cater to diverse user groups without additional coding overhead.
A well-planned i18n strategy ensures higher user adoption, compliance with local standards, and a truly global SAP Fiori experience.