The wxrks Editor shows word and character counts for the segment you're working on, both for the source and for the translation. Each count comes in two versions: the literal count of what's on screen, and the GMX count used by wxrks Analytics. This article explains the difference, how to open the full count, and how to choose which counts stay visible above the translation.
Who can use it
Anyone who can open a work unit in the Editor. No extra permission is needed, every role sees the same counts, and they appear in translation and review steps alike.
Role | What you use the counts for |
Vendor | Keep an eye on how long the source and your translation are while you translate or review an assigned task. |
Project Manager | Check a segment's counts when a Vendor or a client asks about them, and compare the segment with the GMX counts in wxrks Analytics. |
Account Admin | The same as a Project Manager. There's no account-wide setting for the counts: each user picks which counts their own header shows (see Choose which counts appear in the header). |
Literal counts and GMX counts
Count | What it counts |
Words | Every run of text between spaces, exactly as written. A word with punctuation attached ( |
Words (GMX) | Words counted with the GMX-V standard. |
Chars | Every character in the text, including spaces and punctuation. |
Chars (GMX) | Characters counted with the GMX-V standard: spaces, punctuation and symbols such as |
GMX-V (Global Information Management Metrics eXchange – Volume) is an industry standard for counting words and characters in translation, so that two tools counting the same text get the same result. wxrks uses it for the word and character counts in wxrks Analytics. Inline tags never count toward the GMX counts.
Example: for the source text Add products to your cart and enjoy free shipping on orders over $50.
Count | Result | Why |
Words | 13 | Thirteen runs of text separated by spaces, including |
Words (GMX) | 12 | Here, GMX-V doesn't count the price |
Chars | 69 | Every character, including the 12 spaces, the |
Chars (GMX) | 55 | Only the 53 letters and the 2 digits count. |
💡 Tip: If you compare the Editor with segment data in wxrks Analytics, compare the (GMX) counts. The literal counts will often be higher, because they include spaces and punctuation.
Open the segment count
Open the work unit in the Editor and click a segment to make it the active one. The counts show only on the active segment.
In the header above the translation, click the count chip (by default it reads Chars, followed by the source and translation counts, for example Chars 69 / 88).
The Segment count panel opens, with the segment number at the top. It lists each count for the Source and the Target (the translation).
If the segment has a target character limit, the panel also shows a Max chars row: the translation's length against the limit. That row is for reference only; the Max counter in the header keeps working as before.
A GMX count shows — when it isn't available for that segment.
To close the panel, click the chip again, click anywhere outside the panel, or press Esc.
The Target counts follow the translation as you type, so you can watch a long translation shrink as you edit it.
Choose which counts appear in the header
Each row of the Segment count panel has an eye icon. Click it to show or hide that count in the chip above the translation.
An open eye means the count appears in the chip; a crossed-out eye means it doesn't.
You can show any combination, in the same order as the panel: for example, Words (GMX) and Chars (GMX) only.
If you hide every count, the chip reads Counts. Click it to open the panel and see all counts again.
Your choice is saved to your user profile, so it applies to every work unit you open, on any computer. It doesn't change what other users see. If you've never changed it, the chip shows Chars only.
Related articles
wxrks Editor: a tour of the Editor's top bar and segment list.
How to Configure and Use Target Char Limit in wxrks: the Max counter and character limits per segment.