Translate PDF documents with Adobe Acrobat.

Learn how you can use Adobe Acrobat to translate a PDF to or from UK English. Get ready to read and share documents with users around the globe

Working for a global company or participating in an international project? There might come a time where you need to send documents to colleagues, customers or employees in other regions and markets – or translate any you receive.

If you’re looking to translate a PDF to UK English or from English to any other language, you can explore your options below.

When do you need to translate a PDF?

If you work for a company that has clients or offices in multiple global locations, you may find yourself hitting a language barrier – especially when it comes to sharing or receiving important documents. That barrier can result in miscommunication or misunderstandings that cause further issues down the line.

Similarly, if you send someone a document in a language they don’t understand, they’ll need to translate the PDF before they can respond appropriately – potentially causing further delays. However, if you can anticipate the risks and translate your PDFs ahead of time, you can make everyone’s lives a little bit easier.

Perhaps you have colleagues in the EU and want to share your latest brand guidelines with them. In this instance, you might look to translate the PDF document into French, German and Spanish. Or maybe you want to switch between British English and American English when speaking to international customers?

Discover some of the different solutions and learn how to translate a PDF document below.

How to translate a PDF document with Adobe Acrobat’s AI Assistant.

The Acrobat AI Assistant makes it easy for you to translate a PDF file. You no longer need to convert your PDF into an editable file format. Instead, simply use the AI Assistant tool to translate, review and edit your documents in one place.

Here’s how it works.

1. Open the PDF you want to translate in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Click on the AI Assistant tool.
3. Type in your own prompt – such as ‘Translate this PDF into German’.
4. Acrobat will usually be able to auto-detect the source language. In some cases, the AI Assistant may ask you to enter the details as part of the prompt process.
5. Your PDF will then be translated into the new language.
6. Review the translation and confirm you would like to maintain the original formatting and structure.
7. Save, download or export your translated PDF.
8. Repeat the process for any other languages you may require.

How to translate PDFs and other file types from Acrobat using Adobe Express.

Within Adobe Acrobat, you can also access translation tools from Adobe Express. These can help you translate your PDFs, design files and other assets for free.

Simply follow these steps to translate:

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Select the Convert tab to open the tool bar.
3. Choose Translate this PDF and your document will open in Adobe Express.
4. On the Translate panel, select the language you want to translate to from the dropdown menu. It will automatically identify the source language.
5. Select the option to translate all pages – or just a single page if you’d prefer.
6. Pick you tone of voice from either Formal or Informal.
7. Click the Translate button. You can then review the translate text to make sure it’s correct.
8. Your translated file will then be saved in Recent in Adobe Express.
9. Download the document as a PDF and you’re ready to share.

How to translate a PDF in Google Translate.

Depending on the size of your PDF file, you might also be able to use Google Translate to translate your file. Here’s how:

1. On Google Translate, find the Documents tab in the top left.
2. Choose the language you’re translating from and to. If you’re unsure about the language in your PDF, you can also select Detect language and the tool will do the hard work for you.
3. From here, you can drag and drop a file into your browser, or search through your files and upload the PDF you want to translate.
4. Google will then translate this text and let you know when it’s ready.

Looking for more PDF editing tips and tools? Discover all the ways Adobe Acrobat can help you edit, convert and customise your PDFs.

Frequently asked questions.

What is the best online tool for translating a PDF?

You’ll find a range of translators available online and each one has its own benefits and levels of accuracy. You can test out a few to work out which one is best for you. Acrobat’s AI Assistant makes it easy to translate PDF documents in minutes – without impacting the format of your file. Google Translate is also a popular choice, as it’s free to use and offers translations of more than 100 languages.

Can you translate a scanned PDF?

Yes, you can translate a scanned PDF using Adobe Acrobat’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. Simply use the OCR tool to convert your scanned PDF into editable text. You can then run the text through your chosen translator and save the translated version as a PDF.

How do I check my PDF has been accurately translated?

Once your PDF has been translated, you can use a combination of online translation tools and native speakers to give the document a final edit. Having someone review the translated content can help add an extra layer of local knowledge and ensure any cultural nuances have been implemented.

Useful resources:

• How do I redact a PDF?

• How to read your PDF aloud?

• Optical Character Recognition for PDFs