Translate documents with AI: Word, PDF and PowerPoint
How to translate a .docx, .pdf, .pptx or .xlsx with Google Translate or DeepL, the limits of the free versions and how to check the translation with an AI assistant.
Translating a whole document no longer means copying and pasting paragraph by paragraph. Two widely used tools do it while keeping much of the layout: Google Translate and DeepL.
Google Translate (free)
According to Google’s official help:
- Formats: .docx, .pdf, .pptx and .xlsx, up to 10 MB. PDFs 300 pages max.
- Computer only: not available on small screens or mobile.
- Steps: go to translate.google.com > Documents > choose languages (or “Detect language”) > Browse your computer > Download translation.
- Note: text in images and scanned pages appears in the output but isn’t translated.
DeepL
According to its plans page, the free version includes 1 file translation a month up to 5 MB and 50,000 characters of text a month. Paid plans raise those limits (e.g. Individual: 3 files a month up to 30 MB), and DeepL states that on them texts are not used to train its models.
How to check the translation with AI
- Open the original and the translation side by side.
- Copy an important passage (no names, ID numbers or health data: what not to paste).
- Ask your assistant: “Compare this original and this English translation. Flag meaning errors, changed figures and unnatural phrases, without rewriting what is fine.”
When AI isn’t enough
For procedures that require a sworn translation (for example, documents for public authorities), you need a sworn translator. AI helps you understand the content, not give it official validity.
Frequently asked questions
Which formats does Google Translate support?
.docx, .pdf, .pptx and .xlsx up to 10 MB; PDFs up to 300 pages. Computer only.
Is DeepL free for documents?
Its free version allows 1 file translation a month up to 5 MB and 50,000 text characters a month, according to its plans page. Paid plans raise those limits.
Is it valid for official documents?
To understand a text, yes. For procedures that require a sworn translation, no: in Spain that must be done by a sworn translator.
Keep reading
Sources
Change log
- : First published with Google Translate help and DeepL’s plans page as checked that day.
Educational content, prepared with the help of AI tools, with sources cited. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Tools change fast: if you spot something out of date, write to us at contacto@cognenza.com. How we work.