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Exclusive Tasks

Exclusive Tasks allow you to restrict editing to assigned collaborators. This prevents overlaps, improves accountability, and ensures content is handled correctly. Learn how to configure, manage, and work with exclusive assignments.

Written by Antonis Mylonas

Exclusive Tasks allow project maintainers to control who can edit specific strings during a task. When a task is marked as exclusive, only the assigned collaborator for each language can translate, review, or proofread the strings included in that task. This prevents overlaps, improves accountability, and ensures that sensitive or specialized content is handled by the right person.


What are Exclusive Tasks

When a task is created with the Make editing exclusive option enabled:

  • Only the assigned user for each language can edit the strings in that task.

  • Other collaborators can see the strings but cannot edit them.

  • Administrators and Project Maintainers can always edit strings in exclusive tasks.

  • Editing permissions automatically follow task reassignment.

Strings become available to the wider team when:

  • The corresponding subtask is completed.

  • The subtask’s due date has passed.

  • The task’s exclusivity is turned off.

Editor behavior on exclusive strings

1. AI Translation + Review Task: This task type includes AI-translated, MT-translated, Human-translated, Reviewed, and previously untranslated strings.

User Role

AI / Untranslated (AI)

MT / Human-translated

Reviewed

Translator

Locked (All controls inactive)

Active (Full access)

Limited (Save Inactive; Save as Suggestion active)

Unassigned Reviewer

Locked (All controls inactive)

Active (Review button inactive)

Active (Unreview available)

Assigned Reviewer

Active (Full access)

Active (Full access)

Active (Unreview available)

2. Human Translation + Review Task: This task type includes AI-translated, MT-translated, Human-translated, Reviewed, and previously untranslated (original) strings.

User Role

AI-translated

MT / Human-translated

Reviewed

Untranslated

Translator

Locked

Active

Limited (Save Inactive; Suggestion active)

Limited (Save Inactive; Suggestion active)

Unassigned Reviewer

Locked

Active (Review inactive)

Active (Unreview available)

Limited (Save Inactive; Suggestion active)

Assigned Reviewer

Active

Active

Active (Unreview available)

Limited (Save Inactive; Suggestion active)

Key Definitions

  • Active: You can edit the text and save your changes.

  • Locked: The textbox and save buttons are disabled.

  • Limited: You cannot perform standard saving; you may only save as a "Suggestion" or "Unreview" an existing translation.

  • Review Inactive: You can edit, but you do not have permission to mark the string as "Reviewed."


Creating an Exclusive Task

  1. Go to TasksCreate Task.

  2. Select your resources, languages, and subtask types.

  3. In the configuration step, enable "Make editing exclusive".

  4. Assign collaborators to each language.

  5. Click Create the task.

📝Note: If any selected strings are already part of another exclusive task, they will be automatically excluded.


Working in the Editor with Exclusive Tasks

When a string belongs to an exclusive task:

  • The avatar of the assigned collaborator, or a generic avatar if no one is assigned yet, appears next to the string, along with an explanatory tooltip.

  • Only the assigned collaborator (or elevated roles) can edit it.

  • Other users will see a message such as: "This string is included in an exclusive task and cannot be edited by your role."

Editor Filters

Two additional filters are available:

  • Exclusive strings (Strings in exclusive tasks)

  • Non-exclusive strings (Strings in non-exclusive tasks)

These can be combined with assignment filters (e.g., Assigned to me, Assigned to anyone, Unassigned).


Managing Exclusive Tasks

From the Task List, you can:

  • See which tasks are exclusive (indicated by an icon).

  • Hover to view who has exclusive editing access for each language.

  • Enable or disable exclusivity for an existing task (where applicable).

Tasks can be made exclusive after creation, unless their strings are already included in another exclusive task. Conversely, exclusivity can be removed from a task when all related subtasks are overdue, when the task is complete, or when exclusive editing is no longer required.


Rules & Limitations

  • One task per string: A string cannot belong to more than one exclusive task at the same time. Exception: When a previously exclusive task is reopened, or its due date is extended.

  • Smart Tags: Tags (e.g., locked_LANG) still override exclusive-task behavior.

  • Automated tasks: Automated workflows (AI-Translate or TQI) cannot be exclusive.

  • Releasing strings: Removing exclusivity makes the affected strings immediately available for other collaborators or for inclusion in future tasks.

  • Elevated roles: Uploads, integrations, and API calls performed by elevated roles continue to work as usual.

  • Editing permissions: Only Organization Admins and Project Maintainers can edit strings in an exclusive task until collaborators are assigned.


Notifications

Exclusive tasks trigger dedicated email and in-app notifications, such as:

  • "You’ve been exclusively assigned a task"

  • "Exclusive task ready for review/proofreading"

  • "Exclusive task is due tomorrow"


Frequently Asked Questions

Can a reviewer start reviewing before all translations are done?

Yes. Once the translator submits a translation for a specific string, the assigned reviewer can begin reviewing it immediately.

What happens if a subtask assignee is removed from the team?

The string remains under exclusive editing restrictions. Only elevated roles can edit it until a new assignee is set or exclusivity ends.

Why can’t I make my task exclusive?

This occurs because one or more of its strings are already included in another exclusive task. You can either exclude those strings when creating the new task or reopen the initial exclusive task and continue the work there.


💡Tip

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