Posted by Ariel D. on April 27, 2022.
Portable Document Format (PDF) files are widely used all over the world. As a result, it’s always possible to come across a PDF file written in a language you don’t understand. Fortunately, there are several PDF document translation ways that you can apply. GTE will line out the best methods to translate a PDF file in this article.
Table of Contents
#1. Using Google Translate in Chrome or Other Browsers
Google Translate is the simplest tool. You can take advantage of it to have a PDF document translation in multiple languages. While most people have used the program to translate a few phrases, only a few individuals are aware of how to use it to translate a whole PDF file. The methods below will teach you how to use Google Translate to translate a PDF file:
Step 1: Enter the Google Translate website, and choose the tab Documents.
Step 2: Choose the language from which you’d want to translate and the language into which you’d like to translate. Simply pick Detect language if you are unsure of the language used on the PDF file.
Step 3: Select the PDF file you want to translate by clicking the Browse your computer option.
Step 4: After selecting and uploading the file, click the Translate button and wait a few seconds for Google Translate to work its magic.
Step 5: A popup window with the translated PDF file would appear.
You probably want to save the translated text and read it later. To accomplish this, simply follow the procedures below:
Step 1: Press Ctrl + P on Windows or CMD + P on Mac while the translated document is still open.
Step 2: Make sure that Save as PDF is chosen in the Destination section of the Print window that displays.
Step 3: Select all of your chosen options in the remaining sections.
Step 4: Click the Save button and choose the location where you want to save the translated document, then press the Save button again to finish the process.
You can learn the most common 10 issues when translating business documents.
#2. Use Google Docs for Document Translation
This approach will also make use of a Google tool. However, unlike the previous approach, you will need a Google account to use Google Docs for the PDF document translation. The actions you’ll need to take are rather straightforward, and we’ve explained them below:
Step 1: Go to Google Drive and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t already have a Google account, you’ll need to establish one by following the on-screen instructions.
Step 2: Once you’ve logged in or created an account, go to the top-left corner and select the New button.
Step 3: From the pop-up menu, choose File Upload, and up the PDF file that you want to translate.
Step 4: After the upload is complete, locate the PDF file, right-click it, and select Open with Google Docs. Wait a few seconds.
Step 5: Select Tools, then click Translate document from the top menu bar.
Step 6: Give the new document translation a title, then select the language into which you want to translate it.
Step 7: Press the Translate button and wait.
Step 8: A new tab will open with the translated content.
Step 9: Go to File, choose Download, and click PDF document to download the translated document. Your default download folder will get the translated document.
#3. Use The Microsoft Word Tool Without Any Fee
If you already have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you should know that you are able to translate PDF files. Follow the easy steps below to discover how to convert a PDF file using Microsoft Word.
Step 1: Right-click on the PDF document you want to convert and select Translate.
Step 2: Hover the mouse above Open With… and click on Microsoft Word.
(If Microsoft Word does not display in the list of possible alternatives despite the fact that you know it is installed, pick Select another program → More applications → More apps → Microsoft Word.)
Step 3: After you choose to open with Microsoft Word, the program will convert the PDF file into a format that it can read. When the warning that the document is being converted appears, select yes.
Step 4: The document will be opened in a new Microsoft Word window after conversion. Select Review → Translate from the top menu, then pick between Translate Document (to translate the entire document) and Translate Selected Text (to translate only a portion of it) (to translate just a small selected section of the text).
#4. Use Shortcuts on iOS to Have Document Translation
Contrary to popular belief, it is feasible to translate scanned PDF files. Perhaps you came and discovered a German cookbook with a few dishes you’d want to try; you can scan the recipes and then translate them into a language you understand. If police officials in a certain nation try to force you to sign a document that you don’t understand, you may simply scan the paper and use your iOS device to translate it to English. The instructions below will teach you how to use your iOS smartphone to have a PDF document translated.
Step 1: Scan the document you want to translate (you may skip this step if the document already exists on your iOS device).
While the built-in Notes software can assist you in scanning paper documents, the scanned pages will be saved as photos. You’ll need software that can scan a picture, extract the text from the image, and save the text as a PDF. Scanner Pro is one of the greatest programs for this purpose. Simply download Scanner Pro on your iOS device, turn on OCR, and then scan your PDF document.
Step 2: Simply open the iOS Shortcuts application and then feed in the PDF document as the input, you may use the Standard iOS Share Sheet in the Files application to do so. (You may quickly create a shortcut for translating PDF text by dragging activities from the list on the Shortcuts application’s left side.)
Step 3: The shortcut program will start and translate the PDF file when you’ve added it. You have the option of displaying the translated file in a Quick Look window or saving it to your device after the translation is complete.
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#5. Use Onlinedoctranslator.com For Quick Document Translation
Although this document translation tool has a lot of ads and a clunky interface, Onlinedoctranslator has a good database, uses the Google Translate service to process textual content, and supports more than 50 languages, in addition to translating PDF to English, you can also use the tool to translate PDF to other 49 languages.
It’s worth mentioning that the online application is better suited for papers that don’t include sensitive or secret data. This is due to the fact that after you’ve uploaded your file online (to the tool’s server), you won’t be able to restrict who may or cannot read it.
Step 1: Open your favorite web browser and go to onlinedoctranslator.com. Select the Translator option from the top menu after the homepage has loaded. Alternatively, you may go straight to this page.
Step 2: In the work area, drag and drop the PDF file you want to translate. You may also choose to upload a file by clicking the Upload file button.
Step 3: Select the document’s language by choosing the Detect language option under Supported Formats if you already know it. Allow the default choice to remain if you do not know the language.
Step 4: Choose the target language for your document translation.
Step 5: Finish the translation by following the on-screen directions.
If you want to find out about document translation costs, read this post: Your Basic Guide for Document Translation Services Costs and Rates
#6. Work With A Trusted Document Translation Agency
While any of the above options can assist you in document translation, they are better suited to less important materials. If you need to interpret a significant document, such as a lawsuit, you might wish to work with a professional translation agency like GTE Localize.
With high recommendations from GoodFirms, GTE confirms to deliver first-rate document translation services for various formats, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint, InDesign, and others. So, connect with us right now to receive the best quote for your document translations.
