Is it possible to rename the contact module on Odoo Community, or to be more precise, does anyone have a method to rename a module on the display screen without touching the module's basic source code?
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Hi Steve,
Yes—you can rename what users see for the Contacts app in Odoo Community without editing the module’s core/source files. You do it either via Translations (best/no-code) or via a tiny custom addon that overrides the menu/action labels (still not touching base code).
Option 1 (no code): Rename using Translations (recommended)
Odoo stores most UI labels (module names, menus, actions) as translatable strings.
Steps (typical):
Enable developer mode.
Go to Settings → Translations → Application Terms → Translated Terms (wording can vary slightly by version).
Search for the source term like “Contacts” (or the exact label you see).
Create a translation for your language (even if it’s the same language) with your preferred label, e.g. “Customers”.
Refresh / upgrade translations if needed.
Pros: no custom code, upgrade-safe.
Cons: it’s language-dependent (per language), and you must find the right term (menu/action/module label).
Option 2 (clean & upgrade-safe): Create a small custom module that overrides the menu/action names
If you want a “hard” rename (not translation-based), create your own addon that depends on contacts and updates the relevant records:
Menu item (ir.ui.menu) label
Window action (ir.actions.act_window) name
You don’t modify Odoo’s module—your module inherits/updates those records.
Example idea (XML in your custom module):
Update the ir.ui.menu record for Contacts and set a new name.
Update the Contacts main action’s name.
Pros: not tied to language, controlled, upgrade-safe.
Cons: requires a simple addon (but still no base code edits).
What you cannot reliably do
“Renaming a module,” as in changing the technical module name (contacts → something else) without touching source, is not really supported and is a bad idea for upgrades/dependencies.
But renaming the display name users see is absolutely doable with the two approaches above.
If you tell me your Odoo version (e.g., 14/15/16/17 Community) and exactly what text you want renamed (app name in the Home dashboard tile, top menu, left menu, etc.), I’ll point you to the exact record(s) to change and the best approach for that screen.
Regards,
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Thank you so much, I want to rename the contact module on Odoo 18
Yes, in Odoo 18 Community the Contacts module can be renamed on the display screen without modifying the base source code.
The recommended way is through translations, or alternatively by creating a small custom module that overrides the menu and action names. Both methods are upgrade-safe.
Method 1 (Recommended – No Code): Rename via Translations
This is the safest and easiest method.
Steps:
1. Activate Developer Mode
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down → Click Activate Developer Mode
2. Go to:
- Settings → Translations → Application Terms → Translated Terms
3. In the search bar:
- Search for Contacts
- Filter by: Type: Model Terms or Menu OR search by module: contacts
4. You will find entries like:
- Contacts (App name)
- Contacts (Menu)
- Contacts (Action name)
5. Edit the translation and change it to your desired name
Example:
- Replace Contacts → Customers
- Replace Contacts → Clients
6. Save and refresh the page.
What This Changes:
- App tile name on dashboard
- Top menu name
- Page title
⚠ Important: This works per language. If you use multiple languages, repeat for each.
Method 2 (Clean Technical Way – Small Custom Module)
If you want a permanent rename not dependent on language:
Create a small custom module that:
- Inherits contacts
- Updates:
ir.module.module (application name)
ir.ui.menu
ir.actions.act_window
Example concept (XML override):
<record id="contacts.menu_contacts" model="ir.ui.menu">
<field name="name">Customers</field>
</record>
<record id="contacts.action_contacts" model="ir.actions.act_window">
<field name="name">Customers</field>
</record>
This:
- Does NOT modify core code
- Is upgrade safe
- Works for all users/languages
What You Should NOT Do
- Do NOT rename the technical module folder (contacts)
- Do NOT modify Odoo base source files
- Do NOT change the module technical name in the database
That will break dependencies and future upgrades.
Regards,