Buzz
This article provides a detailed guide on translating content within PDF files into different languages. You can use the free online application DocTranslator for this task. Alternatively, if your goal is simply to read the PDF content in another language, Google Translate is a convenient option.
Steps
Using Google Translate
Open Google Translate. Access https://translate.google.com/ using your computer's browser.
Click the Documents button. You'll find this button above the empty text field on the left side of the page.
Click Browse your computer. This option is located in the middle of the page. A File Explorer window (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac) will appear on your screen.
Select the PDF file. Navigate to the folder where the PDF file is stored, then click to select it.
Click Open. This option is located at the bottom right corner of the window. The PDF file will be uploaded to Google Translate.
Choose the translation language.
- You can repeat this process for the language displayed in the left box. However, if you select Detect Language, Google Translate will automatically identify the language.
Click the Translate button. This is the blue button on the right side of the page. Google will begin converting the PDF file into a text-only page.
- The newly created file will only display text; any images from the original PDF will not appear here.
View the translated PDF file. You can scroll through the newly translated PDF page. Although images won't be visible, all the text in the PDF will be translated into the specified language.
Using DocTranslator
Open the DocTranslator website. Visit https://www.onlinedoctranslator.com/ using your computer's web browser.
- DocTranslator supports over 104 languages and retains the original formatting and images after translation.
Click the Translate now button. This is the orange button located in the center of the page.
Click Upload file in the middle of the page. A File Explorer window (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac) will immediately appear.
Select the PDF file. Navigate to the folder containing the PDF file and click to select it.
Click Open. This button is located at the bottom right corner of the window. The PDF file will be uploaded to DocTranslator.
- If you see a notification stating that the PDF may take longer to format than other text, click OK.
Choose the translation language. Click the second language selection box at the bottom of the page, then select the language you want to translate the PDF file into.
- You can scroll up or down to view additional languages if needed.
Click the Translate button. This is the orange button on the right side of the page. By clicking it, DocTranslator will begin translating the PDF file.
Wait for the PDF file to finish translating. As DocTranslator has indicated, translating a PDF file may take a few minutes due to formatting requirements.
Click Download your translated document!. This link appears in the center of the page once the PDF translation is complete. It allows you to download the translated PDF file to your computer.
- Depending on your browser settings, the file may download automatically after translation.
Tips
- Keep in mind that no translation service is perfect, except for professional (and paid) services. Both DocTranslator and Google Translate may have some errors during the translation process.
Warning
- Unfortunately, Google Translate does not allow you to save the translated PDF file. You will need to use DocTranslator if you wish to download the PDF after translation.
