Translating PDF Documents

[bryand4307165]

What is the easiest way to translate a pdf doc from a foreign language to english.  I am using Adobe Acrobat DC

[try67 · Accepted solution]

There is no easy way to do it in the PDF format, because it was not built for such tasks. If you only have access to the PDF then export it to another format (like Word), translate it there and then create a new PDF. If you can get the original file used to create the PDF then use it for the translation, and then create a new PDF when done.

[Dov Isaacs]

To expand on this, PDF is what is known as a “final form file format” as opposed to an editable document format such as you would have with Word, WordPerfect, FrameMaker, InDesign, etc.

PDF has no real concept of sentences, paragraphs, articles, etc. and at best, heuristics can be used by Acrobat to allow simple text edits. When you get to translation, you are effectively replacing all the text with content that very likely uses either more or fewer characters and space. Acrobat's text edit is for touch-up, not major text replacement.

             - Dov

[steve77769]

go to translate.google.com and use the document translation, it leaves out the pictures however which sucks when trying to follow a tech doc.

[derekteacher]

Here is the best way.

Step 1: Go to Google translate (https://translate.google.com/ )

Step 2: Click where it says "translate a document."

Step 3: An option will allow you to choose a document. You can drag and drop the file (the drag and drop can be a little tricky to get it just right) or you can upload it the old fashioned way. Once the file is uploaded click the blue "Translate" button. This will load your translated document into a new tab on your web browser.

Step 4: Right click this new page in your web browser and select the button print. Change the output of your print to a .PDF.

Step 5: Do a happy dance.

[Melvin_Guerrero]

Thank you so much!!!

That is really a great solution and answer!

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Heel duidelijk zo stapsgewijs  !!!!!!!!!!  Bedankt!

[alessiaf30090241]

Hi there,

is there a quick solution or plug-in in acrobat when you select a word in a document and in real time you have the translation?

Thank you

[PEDRO5FFA]

Use QTranslate.

[First0101]

I just found out probably the easiest way to translate a PDF. Export the file to HTML web page, and Google translate on chrome will automatically translate it for you. 

File>Export to> HTML Web Page

For a paid program this should be a standard feature just sayin..

[candra5F86]

If you supposed to get the partial translation you can use the tap translation feature in google translate.

[Vanessa24424543hcsb]

Unfortunately it seems there's no way to do that. My students have expressed that when I use DeepL translator, the translation is more accurate than when I use Google. I switched to DeepL for that reason when doing manual translations. I usually will give students a printed sheet to translate any pdfs; then, they translate on Google with the picture translation feature.