How To Translate PDF Documents to English?

Working globally means sharing documents across borders. However, not everyone knows how to read several foreign languages. Now, you're wondering how to translate a PDF into English. For a single page, using a PDF converter seems okay, but what about multiple pages? That's the challenge.

It would be best to have a quick desktop or online solution. Besides, formatting can be tricky, especially with scanned PDFs, tables, or images.

This article guides you on translating PDFs to English and tackling formatting challenges. We'll explore the best tools, starting with the most effective one. So, read on, and let's simplify your document translation task.

Is There a Way To Translate a PDF to English?

Yes, you can translate a PDF document to English using online tools or software. Many websites offer free PDF translation services. Upload your PDF, set the input as “Detect language,” select the target language (English), and the tool will provide the translated version. Here is an overview of the best ways to get it done easily:

Method 1. PDFelement: Best Way To Translate a PDF to English Using AI

With PDFelement ProPDFelement Pro, translating documents to English is quick and easy, and guess what? You're in control. Translate PDF files to English effortlessly – just upload them, even if it's scanned documents. You, yes you, don't worry about the complexities; in just a few clicks, the AI does the heavy lifting.

Imagine the convenience of keeping the original format and then converting it to various file types within the app. Whether it's multiple pages or specific text, you decide. So, if you want to break through language barriers hassle-free, PDFelement is your go-to app.

iOS 14.0 or later

Android 7.0 and up

How To Translate PDF Documents to English Without Losing Formatting?

Now, let's talk about translating documents into English. If you work with PDFs often, you know the formatting can be a headache after translation. That's where tools like PDFelement come in handy. Let's explore how! Below are several ways PDFelement handles language translations while keeping the PDF layout intact.

Translate All PDF Pages

Experience ultimate translation convenience with PDFelement. No more splitting or converting PDFs - just upload, translate, and get your results, even for documents with 50 pages or less. So, download and install the app on your desktop, and follow these steps below and learn how to translate a PDF to English in minutes:

Step 1: Click “Open PDF” from the homepage to upload your PDF document.

iOS 14.0 or later

Android 7.0 and up

Step 2: Navigate to the “Home” tab in the upper navigation pane, then click “AI Tools” and select “Translate PDF.”

Step 3: The “Translate PDF” pop-up window will appear. Select “English” as the “Target Language” you want from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Enter your desired “Page Range” and specify the “Output Folder” after translation.

Step 5: Click “Translate” to start the process, which may take a few seconds. PDFelement will translate the entire document and open a new window with the translated text.

iOS 14.0 or later

Android 7.0 and up

Translate Specific PDF Parts

Need to quickly translate to an English document only a snippet of your PDF while you work? PDFelement's floating toolbar gives you instant access to AI-powered translations. Select the text, click the toolbar, and get your translated English right there. Great for catching important phrases, tackling tricky parts, or getting a quick idea without slowing down.

Here's how to translate a few parts of PDF to English quickly:

Step 1: Upload and open your PDF in the software.

Step 2: Highlight the sections you want to translate. You can select individual paragraphs or a few sentences.

Step 3: Click the “Translate” icon from the floating toolbar. It will open the “Translate” panel from the right-side navigation pane.

iOS 14.0 or later

Android 7.0 and up

Step 4: The “Translate instantly after selecting text” checkbox is selected by default. It helps you with a more efficient PDF translation in fewer seconds and clicks. Check the results from the “Translate Results” section in the right panel.

Translate a Scanned PDF

Translating a scanned PDF to English or other languages supported in PDFelement involves two steps. First is Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which converts the scanned images to editable text. Next is a translation of the extracted text to English. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: PDFelement should automatically detect scanned documents and prompt you to perform OCR. If not, click “OCR” under the “Tools” tab in the upper navigation pane.

iOS 14.0 or later

Android 7.0 and up

Step 2: In the “OCR PDF” pop-up window, choose the document language and adjust the layout settings.

Step 3: Click “Apply” to begin the process.

Step 4: After performing an OCR on the scanned PDF file, you can edit and translate the texts.

Method 2. Google Translate: Best PDF to English Translation App for Personal Use

Translate PDF to English for free and effortlessly with Google Translate, the top choice for personal use. It's suitable for various users due to its simplicity. It's easy to use; upload your PDF files, and you're good to go. Not only does it handle text, but it also translates text within images and websites.

It's a practical option for international students seeking an affordable way to translate research materials. Additionally, travelers and anyone needing quick translations may find Google Translate beneficial.

Method 3. TextCortex AI: Translate PDF to English Online for Free

Need social media captions in Spanish or website copy in French? TextCortex can translate PDFs to English for free online. It can also maintain your brand voice across languages. But TextCortex AI isn't just a translator for writers and marketing teams. It's about empowering writers and marketing teams to communicate effectively on a global stage.

Translate documents across 25+ languages, download them as a PDF or Word, and unlock a toolkit of writing features. Rewrite content, change the tone, and conquer writer's block – all while working around your thoughts.

Bonus Tip: Translate Word Document to English Automatically

But PDFs aren't the only file format needing translation! Many documents come in Word format; thankfully, PDFelement has your back there, too. There is no need for a separate PDF converter to English tools – it lets you translate Word documents directly.

Here's how to translate a Word document to English with PDFelement:

Step 1: Launch the app on your desktop, click the “+” Create PDF icon, and select “From File” to upload your Word document in PDFelement.

Step 2: Wait while PDFelement converts it from Word to PDF file.

Step 3: Translate in two ways:

For multiple pages:

1. From the upper navigation pane, go to “Tools”> “AI Tools”> “Translate PDF.”
2. Select “English” as the Target Language from the dropdown list. Then, choose to translate the entire document or specific pages.
3. Click “Translate” in the pop-up window to proceed.

For selected text:

1. Highlight the text you want to translate. From the floating toolbar, choose “AI”> “Translate.”
2. PDFelement will translate the selected text and provide more context about it.

Conclusion

Choosing the best way to translate a PDF to English depends on your needs. Google Translate is a good option if you need a quick translation for basic documents. For short marketing materials, TextCortex AI offers fast results.

But for important documents, legal papers, or scanned PDFs, you'll want a more powerful tool like PDFelement. Consider the PDF's size, complexity, and importance so you can pick the best method. Remember, no single tool is perfect, so weigh the pros and cons before translating documents into English.