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. 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
    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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 1
  • 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.
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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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