How to Translate a PDF

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A guide to translating PDF documents using Google Translate and DocTranslator
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This wikiHow teaches you how to translate a PDF file into a different language. You can use a free online application called DocTranslator to do so; if you just need to read the PDF's text in a different language, you can also use Google Translate.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Google Translate

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid9058772-v4-728px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://translate.google.com/ in your computer's web browser.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    You'll see this above the blank text fields on the left side of the page.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    This option is in the center of the page. Clicking it opens a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    Go to the location in which your PDF is saved, then select your PDF by clicking it.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so uploads your PDF to the Google Translate page.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    On the right side of the page, click a language, or click
    Android 7 Dropdown
    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/8\/82\/Android7dropdown.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Android7dropdown.png\/30px-Android7dropdown.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":30,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    and select a language in the resulting drop-down menu.
    • You can repeat this process for the language on the left panel. However, if you leave this highlighting Detect Language , Google Translate will try to automatically detect the language.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/aid9058772-v4-728px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll find this blue button on the right side of the page. Google will begin translating your PDF into an all-text page.
    • The file that is produced it text-only; any images that were in the original PDF will not appear here.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-17-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-17-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-17-Version-3.jpg\/aid9058772-v4-728px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-17-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scroll through the translated PDF's page. While you won't be able to view any images, you should see any text that was in the PDF translated into your specified language.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using DocTranslator

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid9058772-v4-728px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://www.onlinedoctranslator.com/ in your computer's web browser.
    • DocTranslator supports over 104 different languages and can maintain your PDF's original formatting and images upon translation.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    It's an orange button in the middle of the page.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid9058772-v4-728px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This button is in the middle of the page. Doing so opens a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    Go to the location in which your PDF is saved, then select your PDF by clicking it.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. This will upload your PDF to the DocTranslator website.
    • If you see a warning about PDFs taking longer to format than other documents, just click OK .
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    Click the second language drop-down box in the bottom-middle of the page, then click the language into which you want to translate your PDF.
    • You can scroll up or down through the available languages if needed.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Translate-a-PDF-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid9058772-v4-728px-Translate-a-PDF-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's an orange button on the right side of the page. Doing so prompts DocTranslator to begin translating your PDF.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    As noted by DocTranslator, PDFs can take a few minutes to translate due to formatting requirements.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Translate a PDF
    It's a link that appears in the middle of the page once your PDF has been translated. Doing so downloads the translated PDF onto your computer.
    • Depending on your browser's settings, your file may download automatically once it's available.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I translate on my Android phone?
    Community Answer
    Just use Chrome/whatever browser (it can be any it only needs to access the internet) and go to translate.google.com.
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  • Question
    Unfortunately, Google Translate and OnlineDocTranslator are restricted to 10 MB, while deftpdf is restricted to 10,000 characters. Anyone know a real unrestricted online PDF?converter?
    Mitchtc
    Community Answer
    If it is only one PDF, FreePDFConvert offers a free trial for an unlimited-size document. It can convert to and from a PDF.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Remember that no translation service, save for a professionally contracted (and paid) one, is going to be perfect. Both DocTranslator and Google Translate will likely have some mistakes in their translations.
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      Warnings

      • Unfortunately, Google Translate won't let you save a copy of a translated PDF. You'll need to use DocTranslator if you want to download your translated PDF.
        Thanks


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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Go to https://www.onlinedoctranslator.com .
      2. Click Translate now .
      3. Click Upload file .
      4. Select the PDF.
      5. Click Open .
      6. Select languages.
      7. Click Translate .
      8. Click Download your translated document .

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