Change default strings (text) without using full translation system

Last updated July 17, 2009. Created by kentr on July 17, 2009.
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Methods

1. Edit settings.php file
2. String Overrides module

Method 1: Edit settings.php file

Pros

• Quick method for small number of strings.
• Less accessible in cases where you want to retain some control even after granting administrator access.

Cons

• English only.
• No admin pages, requires access to files on server (FTP / SFTP / SSH). Difficult to delegate changes to non-developers.

Procedure

1. Edit settings.php for the site in question.
   • You'll need to either download the file, edit it, and re-upload it, or edit it in place on the server. Of course, make a backup.
   • Either way, you'll probably need to temporarily change the permissions of the file and its containing folder to to give you "write access". Be sure to take note of the permissions and change them back to what they were afterwards.
   • The default settings file is in drupal_root_folder/sites/default/settings.php
2. Look for this code at the bottom:
   # $conf['locale_custom_strings_en'] = array(
#   'forum'      => 'Discussion board',
#   '@count min' => '@count minutes',
# );
3. Remove the comment marks ('#') and add string replacement assignments:
   $conf['locale_custom_strings_en'] = array(
   'Old string 1'      => 'New string 1',
   'Old string 2'      => 'New string 2',
);

Method 2: String Overrides module

(http://drupal.org/project/stringoverrides)

Pros

• Admin page for managing string replacements.
• Uses access permissions. Easier to delegate management of replacements.

Cons

• Yet another module to install, update, and administer.
• Possible performance hit. Stores replacements in the database.
• Uses access permissions. Harder to restrict changes when you have to give administrator access to others.

Procedure

1. Install and enable the module.
2. Follow the instructions / documentation for adding string replacements.