Get a translated PDF in three steps
Keep translations in their original positions where possible
The default approach does not extract plain text and reflow it. Instead, it identifies page regions, writes translations back to the corresponding coordinates, and outputs a PDF that can still be distributed.
Define terminology and requirements before sending the full document
Review every step, from language detection and model selection to term confirmation and cost estimates. You can also go straight to the fully automated translation pipeline.
Pre-translation terminology analysis
AI first extracts key terms and suggests translations. After you confirm, it translates the full document.
Manual glossary and translation requirements
Edit term translations individually, add terms manually, and specify tone, style, and context requirements.
Models and multiple target languages
Choose available AI models for each job and generate versions in multiple target languages from one source document.
Pre-translation confirmation
Review word count, terminology, and cost estimates before translation. You can also skip confirmation and process directly when needed.
Cloud processing for long documents
Long documents are split into batches and translated in the cloud, with progress saved continuously. After submitting, you can close the page and return later to view the results.
Online review and regeneration
Edit translations in your browser, then regenerate the PDF while keeping a file version for every revision.
Post-translation review
Machine translation isn’t the end of the workflow
Compare the source PDF and translated PDF in preview
Filter by keyword to find entries that need review
Regenerate PDF after editing the translation
Keep revision history and the latest delivered file
Export bilingual Excel or XLIFF files for professional translators
Import external revisions and continue generating the final file
Edit the translation in your browser, then generate a new PDF
Translations and source text are aligned by stable document units. After edits, the system writes content back from the source file and creates a new version instead of overwriting historical delivery files.
Teams can also export bilingual Excel or XLIFF, review in their preferred CAT tools, then import them back into SimplifyAI to generate the final file.
Designed for PDFs that need to match the original
Contracts and client-facing documents
For contracts, policies, and quotations that need to be signed or archived against the original, translations stay in their original fields and near stamps or signatures where possible.
Research papers and scanned archives
Process papers with charts or files containing only scanned pages. Scanned text is recognized first, then reinserted into its original regions.
Product manuals and mixed text-and-image layouts
For manuals and brochures that combine text and images, prioritize preserving their relationship instead of breaking them into plain text first.
Reflow to Word when you need to continue editing
This is not the default workflow. PDFs with a text layer can use “Reflow” to export editable DOCX for further editing or use in CAT tools. Headings, tables, lists, and links are retained as Word structures where possible, but the original PDF’s precise layout will not be preserved.
For scanned-only files, stay with Keep Layout. Reflow does not currently run OCR on scanned pages.
Learn how PDF processing works
Ready to translate your PDF?
Upload a PDF to review document analysis, terminology, and cost before deciding whether to start the full translation.
FAQ
How well is the layout preserved when translating a PDF?
The default approach writes translations back to the original text coordinates whenever possible, and the output remains a PDF. Columns, text-image relationships, and page structure can usually be preserved. The current version does not guarantee an exact match to the original for complex posters, comic panels, or outlined vector text. We recommend comparing the downloaded file with the original.
Can scanned PDFs be translated?
Yes. Keep Layout runs OCR on scanned pages, then writes the translation back to the original areas. Fully scanned documents are also recognized automatically, with no need to convert them to an editable document first.
Can you translate text in images or charts?
Yes. Keep Layout translation enables “Translate text in images” by default. Turn it off to process only extractable page text.
Can I control terminology and style before translation?
Yes. The system first extracts terms and suggests translations. You can edit, delete, or add terms, specify tone, style, and context requirements, then confirm to start translation.
Can I make manual edits after machine translation is complete?
Yes. You can edit the translation segment by segment in the online review interface, then regenerate the PDF based on your revisions. You can also collaborate with external translators through bilingual Excel or XLIFF.
Do I need to stay on the page while a long document is translated?
No. Long documents are split into batches and translated in the cloud, with progress saved continuously. After submitting a job, you can close the page and return to the job list later to view the results or download the file.
What if I need an editable Word file?
You can choose the “Reflow” strategy when translating, and PDFs with a text layer are exported as editable DOCX. This is Reflow rather than Keep Layout. For scanned-only files, stay with Keep Layout.
What is the difference from the free PDF tools on the site?
Free tools for merging, splitting, compressing, and more run locally in your browser and do not translate files. PDF translation is processed in the cloud and billed by word count, processed pages, and OCR pages.