--- title: Translate Documents Online, Keep the Layout | Smartcat description: Translate documents online into 280+ languages and keep the original formatting: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and 80+ more file types. Try Smartcat free. canonical: https://www.smartcat.com/translate-document/ language: en updated: 2026-10-13 --- # Translate Documents Online, Keep the Layout | Smartcat ## Document Translator: Translate Any File and Keep Its Formatting Smartcat reads the text out of your file, translates it into any of **280+ languages**, and rebuilds the document — **same fonts, same tables, same numbering, same layout**. Scanned files work too: built-in **OCR** reads documents that are really just images of text. - [Book a demo](https://www.smartcat.com/book-a-demo/?n-upl) - [Sign up free](https://smartcat.com/sign-up?n-upl) ## Document Translator: Translate Any File and Keep Its Formatting Smartcat reads the text out of your file, translates it into any of **280+ languages**, and rebuilds the document — **same fonts, same tables, same numbering, same layout**. Scanned files work too: built-in **OCR** reads documents that are really just images of text. - [Book a demo](https://www.smartcat.com/book-a-demo/?n-upl) - [Sign up free](https://smartcat.com/sign-up?n-upl) ## How to Translate a Document Online in Five Steps Smartcat's document translator extracts the text from your file and translates it into **280+ languages**, using AI plus your own glossary and translation memory. It then rebuilds the file with its **original formatting, tables and numbering** intact — across **80+ formats**, including scanned documents via OCR, with human review available before export. ### Upload Your File Drag it into the widget above. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, TXT, XLIFF and 80+ more. Scanned files are detected and read with OCR automatically. ![Upload your files](https://gqucouwbfxremfdhdosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sc-store/1733694209742Translate_documents_in_five_simple_steps01.webp) ### Pick Your Languages One source language and as many targets as you need, from [280+ languages](https://smartcat.com/Home/Languages), in a single project. ![Choose languages](https://gqucouwbfxremfdhdosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sc-store/1733694222040Translate_documents_in_five_simple_steps02.webp) ### Get the Draft The Content Translator Coworker translates the file with your glossary and translation memory applied, so product names, legal boilerplate and column headers come out the same way every time. ![Run AI-enhanced translation](https://gqucouwbfxremfdhdosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sc-store/1733694236073Translate_documents_in_five_simple_steps03.webp) ### Review Only What Matters Open the editor to check the translation against the live layout, alone or with your team — or hire [vetted reviewers](https://www.smartcat.com/marketplace/). Skip this entirely when the AI draft is enough. ![Review your files and invite collaborators](https://gqucouwbfxremfdhdosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sc-store/1733694258982Translate_documents_in_five_simple_steps04.webp) ### Export the Finished Document Same file type, same formatting, new language — styles, tables, headers, footers and numbering back in place, ready to send. ![Download your files](https://gqucouwbfxremfdhdosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sc-store/1733442385341Image_01.webp) See It Translate a Word File A Word contract with multi-level numbered clauses is the hardest thing this tool does, and the thing that costs the most to repair by hand. Upload one and compare the export with the original. - [Book a demo](https://www.smartcat.com/book-a-demo/?main-12-translate-document) - [Start Translating Today](https://smartcat.com/sign-up?main-12-translate-document) ## What You Get Beyond the Raw Translation Most translators give you **the words** back, not **the document**. - Tables flatten into paragraphs. - Headers and footers disappear. - In a Word contract the **numbered clause hierarchy resets** — so someone rebuilds the numbering by hand, clause by clause, in every language. Here is what Smartcat does with the formats teams upload most. ## 80+ file types, so you don't convert anything first Everything goes in as it is: - **Documents** — .docx, .doc, .rtf, .odt, .txt, .md, .pdf - **Spreadsheets** — .xlsx, .xls, .csv, .ods, exported Google Sheets - **Presentations** — .pptx, .ppt, .odp, exported Google Slides - **Design files** — .idml, .icml, .svg - **Developer and localization formats** — .xliff, .json, .xml, .po, .resx, .strings, .yaml - **Subtitle and media files** — .srt, .vtt, .mp4, .mp3 See the [full list of supported formats](https://help.smartcat.com/supported-file-formats/). ## Formatting survives, so nobody re-typesets the file Tables, columns, fonts, images, headers, footers and numbering stay where they were. What you download is a **finished document**, not raw text to reflow — which is the difference between exporting a file and rebuilding one. ## Word documents keep their structure, not just their words Upload a **.doc or .docx** and the styles, tables, images, headers and footers come back in place — including **multi-level clause numbering**, which is the part nobody wants to rebuild manually. Working in Google Docs instead? Use the [Google Docs translator](https://www.smartcat.com/google-docs-translator/). ## Spreadsheets stay consistent across every sheet Upload **.xlsx or .xls** — or export your Google Sheet — and Smartcat translates cell contents while leaving the **column layout and sheet structure** in place. Because your glossary applies across the whole file, a column header translated on sheet one is translated identically on sheet twelve. **Calculated cells are a known limit:** formulas are not carried back as working formulas, so check them after export. More in [Excel translation](https://www.smartcat.com/excel-translator/). ## Plain text and very long documents don't hit a paste limit Free web translators cap how much text you can paste. Smartcat takes the whole thing — a complete manual, a book, a contract set — as **one project**, with progress tracked per file. For raw text there is the [large text translator](https://www.smartcat.com/translate-large-text/), and for plain files the [TXT file translator](https://www.smartcat.com/txt-translator/). ## Every file makes the next one cheaper Approved translations and terminology are stored automatically. The tenth contract you translate reuses everything the first nine settled — clause boilerplate, party names, defined terms — so consistency goes up while the words you pay to translate go down. ## A Dedicated Translator for Every File Type Upload any file and Smartcat handles 80+ formats end to end, with your glossary applied and optional human review. If you work in one format most of the time, start from its own page. ### PDF Translator ### Google Docs Translator ### Google Slides Translator ### PowerPoint Translator ### Excel Translator ### XLIFF Translator ### TXT File Translator ### HTML Translator ### XML Translator ### Image Translator ### JPG Translator ### PNG Translator ### SRT Translator ### VTT Translator ### MP3 Translator ### MP4 Translator ### WAV File Translator ### MOV File Translator ### GIF Translator ## Why Teams Choose Smartcat for Document Translation G2 reviewers rate the setup and the day-to-day editor highly, and the same workflow scales to regulated enterprise documentation. ### 9.6/10 for ease of setup, on G2 ### 9.3/10 for ease of use, on G2 ### 1,000+ enterprise brands ### SOC 2 Type II compliant organization Choose Your Review Depth, So Quality Matches the Stakes An internal memo can ship straight from the Content Translator Coworker's draft. A supplier contract gets a **human pass**. Add professional review from Smartcat's [Marketplace of vetted experts](https://www.smartcat.com/marketplace/) on any file — same workflow, one extra step, priced per word. - [Book a Personalized Demo](https://www.smartcat.com/book-a-demo/?main-12-translate-document) ## Built for Every Document You Have One workflow covers the languages, the formats and the trial period, so you can test it on a real file before deciding anything. ### 280+ ### Languages One source file, as many target languages as you need, translated in parallel. ### 80+ ### File Types From DOCX, XLSX and PPTX to PDF, XLIFF, SRT and scanned images read with OCR. ### 15 Days ### Free to Try 15,000 Smartwords with full access to translation capabilities, no credit card. ## Teams That Stopped Rebuilding Documents by Hand Three teams, three numbers their finance leads can see. ### Up to 70% ### Lower Translation Costs Stanley Black & Decker cut translation costs by up to 70% — from $200–$300 to $1.20 per 1,000 words — while keeping quality consistent. - [Read Case Study](https://www.smartcat.com/cases/stanley-black-and-decker/) ### 31 Hours ### Saved Monthly Babbel automated manual handoffs across every team that needs global content. - [Read Case Study](https://www.smartcat.com/cases/babbel/) ### 2–3 Days ### Down From 10 Days Smith+Nephew brought eLearning translation turnaround down from an average of ten days to two or three. - [Read Case Study](https://www.smartcat.com/cases/smith-nephew/) Your Document, in Another Language, Still Shaped Like Your Document Upload the file, pick the languages, export a finished document — **no re-typesetting, no copy-paste, no rebuilding clause numbers by hand**. Free for **15 days** with 15,000 Smartwords and full access to translation capabilities, no credit card. - [Book a demo](https://www.smartcat.com/book-a-demo/?main-f-translate-document) - [AI-Translate Your Files Now](https://smartcat.com/sign-up?main-f-translate-document) ## Document Translation Guides and Resources ### What Are AI Agents? Find out what the buzz around AI agents is about — the “digital employees” or “virtual teammates” reshaping how companies work. Read More ### Making Work More Human With AI Gain insights from Smartcat's VP of People, Stacey Richey, on how Smartcat uses AI to enhance human work, not replace it. Read More ### How to Translate SCORM Courses With Smartcat’s AI eLearning Translator Learn how you can instantly translate elearning courses while preserving layout, interactivity, and SCORM compliance. Read More ## Document Translation — the Fine Print ### Can I translate a document with AI? Yes. Set up your [free trial](https://smartcat.com/sign-up), upload the file, and the Content Translator Coworker translates editable documents — Word, Google Docs, training guides — while keeping **formatting, structure and your brand terminology** in place. [Select the languages](https://help.smartcat.com/how-to-translate-any-document-in-smartcat/) you want, run the translation, then download the file with its original layout intact. ### Can I translate a Word document (DOC or DOCX) with AI? Yes. Upload your **.doc or .docx** file, choose your target languages, and run the translation. **Fonts, tables, images, headers and footers** stay exactly where they belong in the translated file, so there's no manual reformatting afterwards. You can review and edit the result in the Smartcat Editor with your team before downloading a ready-to-share Word document. Google Docs are supported too — see the [Google Docs translator](https://www.smartcat.com/google-docs-translator/). ### How do I translate a Google Sheets or Excel spreadsheet? Spreadsheets are covered in detail above — see **“Spreadsheets stay consistent across every sheet”**. The short version: cell contents are translated, column and sheet structure survive, and **calculated cells come back as values rather than working formulas**, so check them after export. For a spreadsheet-only workflow, use the dedicated [Excel translator](https://www.smartcat.com/excel-translator/). ### Can I translate a TXT file online? Yes. Smartcat's [TXT file translator](https://www.smartcat.com/txt-translator/) handles plain-text files in seconds: upload the .txt file, select from **280+ target languages**, and download the translated version with **line breaks and encoding preserved**. It works for single files or batches — app strings, subtitle exports, or drafts. ### Can I translate very large documents or long texts? Yes. Unlike free web translators that limit how much text you can paste at once, Smartcat handles **complete manuals, contracts and books** — hundreds of pages in a single project. Translation memory keeps terminology consistent from the first page to the last, and your team can review and edit collaboratively without splitting the file. For long passages of raw text, use the [large text translator](https://www.smartcat.com/translate-large-text/). ### How accurate is AI document translation? It depends on the **language pair**, the **content type**, and **how much of your own data** the engine can draw on. Quality is strongest on high-resource languages and factual content, and it improves as your translation memory and glossary accumulate. For anything where an error is expensive — contracts, regulated documentation — take the AI draft and add a **human review pass** on the sections that carry risk. ### Can I translate one document into several languages at once? Yes. Pick one source language and as many targets as you need in the same project — the file is translated **in parallel**, not sequentially, and each language exports separately. Your glossary and translation memory apply to every target at once, so a term you approved in German is applied consistently when the same file goes to Japanese. ### Can I translate a scanned document with Smartcat? Yes. Smartcat's [AI Document Translator](https://www.smartcat.com/translate-document/) uses **optical character recognition (OCR)** to pull text out of images. That covers scanned [PDFs](https://www.smartcat.com/pdf-translator/) and [image files](https://help.smartcat.com/supported-file-formats/) such as [PNG](https://www.smartcat.com/image-translator/png-translator/), [GIF](https://www.smartcat.com/gif-translator/) and [JPG](https://www.smartcat.com/image-translator/jpg-translator/). Editable formats such as [DOCX](https://www.smartcat.com/translate-document/), [XLSX](https://www.smartcat.com/xls-translator/) and [TXT](https://www.smartcat.com/txt-translator/) are read directly, with **no OCR step**. ### How is this different from Google Translate or DeepL? Google Translate and DeepL hand back **text**. Smartcat rebuilds the **document**: - **80+ file types** accepted, formatting reassembled in the output. - Scanned files read with **OCR**. - Your glossary and translation memory reused across every file. - **Human review** in the same workflow, through a [Marketplace of vetted experts](https://www.smartcat.com/marketplace/). The free tools are faster for a paragraph; this is for the file you have to send to someone. *Google Translate and DeepL are trademarks of their respective owners. Smartcat is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google or DeepL.* ### Can I control who on my team sees a document? Yes. Access is **per user with role-based rights**, so a reviewer sees only the projects assigned to them. - Corporate customers can enforce sign-in through their own identity provider — **Azure AD, Okta and ADFS** are supported. - Higher tiers add **multiple isolated workspaces**, which is how teams separate departments, clients or confidential deal rooms. Smartcat is [SOC 2 Type II compliant](https://www.smartcat.com/security/), and files are encrypted in transit and at rest. ### How much does it cost to translate a document? Every plan starts with a [15-day free trial](https://smartcat.com/sign-up?main-12-translate-document): **15,000 Smartwords**, full access to translation capabilities, no card required. Paid plans start at **$1,200/year** (Adapt) and scale to enterprise tiers. Smartwords are the usage credits that pay for AI translation, and a document costs Smartwords based on its **word count** — not its page count or file size. Full breakdown on the [pricing page](https://www.smartcat.com/pricing/). ### Where does it fall short? Two places. - **Heavily designed files.** If the layout was built in InDesign and exported flat, or if the text lives inside images, the rebuild is approximate and a designer still touches it. - **Low-quality scans.** OCR reads clean 300-dpi typed text reliably, but handwriting, faxed pages and dense multi-column tables produce misreads — and a misread source produces a confidently wrong translation. For files like that, budget a designer or a human subtitler on top of the AI draft. ### Does a human still need to review the file? For anything that carries risk, yes. Smartcat combines AI translation with professional human review, which matters most for **legal, medical and regulated** content. The AI draft arrives in minutes, then your own reviewers or [vetted linguists](https://www.smartcat.com/marketplace/) finalize the details in the same editor — and their edits feed your translation memory. ### Can I translate a PowerPoint presentation in Smartcat? Yes. Upload your presentation into the [AI Document Translator](https://www.smartcat.com/translate-document/), translate it with AI, review and edit in the Smartcat Editor, then download the **PPTX** in the new language. The formatting of the original presentation is kept intact. ### Can I translate documents through an API instead of the web app? Yes, on the **Anticipate and Autonomous** plans. The API accepts documents, returns translated output, and syncs translation memories programmatically, so document translation can run inside your own pipeline. There is **no API access during the free trial**. On lower tiers, the built-in [integrations](https://www.smartcat.com/integrations/) cover most automation needs without code. ### What happens to my documents when the free trial ends? Your workspace, files and translation memories **stay in your account** — nothing is deleted when the 15-day trial expires. You keep access to what you translated and can continue by choosing a plan. Text already in your translation memory is **not charged again**, so re-running a document after a small edit costs Smartwords only for what changed. Question not answered here? [Book a demo](https://www.smartcat.com/book-a-demo/) — a 1:1 consultation with a Smartcat specialist, no commitment, no form queue. ## Sources - Smartcat. [*Stanley Black & Decker: translation costs down by up to 70%, from $200–$300 to $1.20 per 1,000 words*](https://www.smartcat.com/cases/stanley-black-and-decker/). - Smartcat. [*Smith+Nephew: eLearning translation turnaround from ten days to two or three*](https://www.smartcat.com/cases/smith-nephew/). - Smartcat Help Center. [*File formats supported in Smartcat*](https://help.smartcat.com/supported-file-formats/).