Need to translate Google Docs for your organization? Using Google Docs to do so is possible with its built-in translation tool. However, it’s not the best way to translate whole Google Docs to another language if your workplace is serious about efficiency. But neither is using a free third-party Google Docs translator online.

We’ll tell you why and teach you how to translate a Google Doc most efficiently with the best online Google document translator. As a result, you will translate Google Docs faster, smarter and easier.

Translating a Whole Google Doc: Common Issues

1. It’s difficult to translate Google Docs and keep spaces between all words

You cannot always translate a Google Doc natively and keep spaces between words perfectly throughout the entire file. And sometimes, a header becomes displaced during the translation process. Part of it might become formatted as paragraph text and relocated to the beginning of the body text below the header. 

Oftentimes, this only requires minor tweaks. However, the repetitive action of reformatting the document and moving words back to their original position can slow you down. That being said, a more premium solution could help you reduce time spent on post-translation formatting.

2. Free Google Doc translator tools have size limitations

If you commonly translate a Google Doc larger than 10MB, many free document translator tools won’t let you. For instance, Google Translate has a limit of 10MB, and it’s not the only tool that has restrictions on large Google Docs translation. 

Therefore, if your company needs to translate large Google Doc files, you need a better alternative.

3. You find yourself manually correcting the same inaccurate translation repeatedly

Google Docs translates its files using its own engine to generate machine-translated text. While raw machine translation is pretty good these days, it typically does not deliver the quality of human translation. 

Therefore, you’ll most likely need to manually edit translations if you’re producing a document for professional purposes. If you have important terms and text segments that repeat themselves, you might find yourself repeatedly editing the same machine-translated segments throughout the Google Doc. 

4. Google Docs might only translate part of a document

According to a user-generated thread on Google Docs Editors Help, Google Docs might only translate part of a document due to a limit on the number of pages (perhaps 10). However, this has been yet to be confirmed by a Google employee.

As of the time of this post, the thread indicated that 50 other people had the same issue. 

How Do I Translate Google Docs Professionally?

To translate a Google Doc professionally, use enterprise-level translation software such as Pairaphrase. It allows you to translate whole Google Docs more than 10 pages (and larger than 10MB), provides data security and allows you to edit/improve, save & reuse translations. 

It’s also integrated with Google Drive for seamless translation (no need to convert Google Docs to Word before translating).

For those who don’t use Pairaphrase to translate, we provide instructions below for converting Google Docs to Word. This process is to be used for translation management systems that don’t have a Google Drive integration.

How to Convert Google Docs to Word?

To convert a Google Doc to Word in the Google Docs application, follow these 5 steps:

1. Go to the File menu
2. Select “Download”
3. Choose “Microsoft Word (.docx)”
4. Name the file
5. Click “Save”*

*This process is not necessary if you use translation software that is integrated with with Google Drive, such as Pairaphrase. More on this below.

Where is Translate in Google Docs?

The Translate function in Google Docs is located in the Tools menu. To translate in Google Docs, go to Tools > Translate document. This is a great way to see if you need a premium translation solution to help you generate a translated document of publishable quality in less time.

Is there an AI that translates Google Docs?

Pairaphrase is an AI language translator that offers an AI chat-like experience within the application for translating Google Docs. While Pairaphrase is not a chatbot, it leverages advanced AI technology to translate your entire Google Doc efficiently. Users of Pairaphrase also have access to OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the app, which acts as your AI-powered translation assistant!

How Do I Translate Files on Google Drive?

There is currently no way to translate files directly in the Google Drive interface. You can either translate Google Docs using the translation function in the Google Docs app, or you can use translation software with a special integration such as Pairaphrase, which seamlessly translates Google Drive files.

Why Pairaphrase is the Best Way to Translate Google Docs

Pairaphrase is the best way to translate Google Docs out of any other translation software on the market. This is because Pairaphrase is a translation management system that is made specifically for organizations like yours.

It’s specially engineered to give you access to quick translations and cost-reducing features that improve your translation quality over time. This is all without requiring you to spend time learning the software. The majority of Pairaphrase users are organizations that need to translate large documents and files such as Google Docs.

Here are some specific features that make Pairaphrase the best way to translate a Google document:

1. Batch Translation (Top Google Docs Translation Method for Multiple Files)

Pairaphrase is the fastest way to translate a Google Doc professionally. It allows you to upload a Google Doc and receive a first draft translation of it within seconds or a couple of minutes.

Even text within the charts and diagrams you create within Google Docs will be translated for you. Not only are all the Google Docs translated for you in one go, but you also have the ability to translate multiple files or documents at the same time in a single batch.

This is particularly useful for a group of files that are related to a single project (we’ll explain further in the Translation Memory section).

2. Translate a Whole Google Doc & Keep Formatting

File formatting preservation is another feature that makes Pairaphrase the best way to translate a Google Doc.

When you run your entire Google Doc through Google Docs translator tools online, many of them will lose a lot of the formatting, spaces and layout. Pairaphrase attempts to retain much of your spaces, headers, image placement, line breaks, paragraph breaks, font properties, images and charts. 

This means that you save countless hours of work because you won’t need to reformat an entire Google Doc.

**Please note Pairaphrase automatic formatting isn’t perfect, but it will save you lots of time.**

3. Reuse Words & Phrases (Translation Memory)

One of the strongest arguments for Pairaphrase being the best way to translate Google Docs is its Translation Memory technology.

After you receive that quick first draft translation of your Google Docs file from Pairaphrase, you can edit the translation segments within the Translation Editor to improve the translation. As you edit the file and save your changes, your text is stored in a bilingual central repository for future use as translation memories.

How Translation Memory Helps with Translating Google Docs

Translation memories are terms and phrases that were previously either machine-translated and human-edited or human-translated and saved within the system.

When you upload more documents for future translation work, the system separates your source text into segments and then searches for exact or fuzzy matches of those segments in your translation memories. The system will present the most closely-related phrase from your translation memories to be used as the translation. 

You can then accept or modify those “matches” to be used as the translation for a segment.

As you save translations in your translation memories, you get more matches and the system continuously improves translation quality. This also significantly reduces your translation time and costs. It’s important to keep in mind that in order to reap the benefits of a translation memory system, human editing of machine translation or human translation is required.

4. Google Docs Translation Collaboration

You might find yourself in a situation where you need to work with a subject matter expert on a particular translation project. Whether this person is a colleague within your organization or an external business partner, collaboration functionality is a must.

Pairaphrase offers easy, real-time collaboration. You can quickly share translated files and invite colleagues into the platform to work on edits without needing to upgrade your plan. What’s more, you can start a conversation and you can even track user edit history by segment so there’s no second-guessing regarding whom changed what.

Superior translation collaboration is another reason why Pairaphrase is the best way to translate a Google file.

5. Translation Engine Options

When you use Pairaphrase as an alternative to Google Translate or in place of another free tool such as onlinedoctranslator.com, you have more flexibility. For instance, you have the choice of more than one translation engine. You can translate not only with Google’s engine, but also Microsoft and Amazon Translate.

6. Google Drive Integration

Pairaphrase is a translation management system that’s integrated with Google Drive. When you use Pairaphrase to translate a Google Doc, you can import your Google Docs directly from your organization’s Google Drive account for translation and export them back to your drive.

This makes Pairaphrase the best choice for seamlessly translating Google files of all types, including Google Sheets and Google Slides.

7. OpenAI Integration

The integration of OpenAI’s within Pairaphrase transforms the translation process of Google Docs.

Acting as a translator’s assistant, the ability to use ChatGPT within the Pairaphrase application enhances your productivity by providing real-time assistance and alternative translations. Its research capabilities ensure high-quality terminology and contextual relevance.

You can prompt it to help you generate new translations to avoid language growth issues and more.

8. Data Security

Data breaches are now commonplace, which makes data security non-negotiable when you are translating business documents such as Google Docs.

Pairaphrase offers the highest standards in security when it comes to protecting your translation data. Here is how Pairaphrase protects your translation data so that your organization’s information stays secure and confidential:

• SHA-2 and 4096-bit encryption
• 256-bit SSL certification
• Encrypted file storage in transit, in use and at rest via AWS
• “No Return” to machine translation providers
• PCI-compliant payment processing via Stripe
• HIPAA, SOC1 and ISO27001 compliant datacenters
• Multi-Factor Authentication
• TLS 1.2 (Transport Layer Security)
• Last login date and time display in footer
• Automatic session logout if idle 
• Password expires after one year
• Auto-lock after failed password attempts
• Device Authentication
• Compliant with GDPR & HIPAA
• Single Sign-On
• Supports secure browsers; Chrome, Firefox, Edge & Safari
• Third-party security audit & assessment records

How to Translate Google Docs Using Pairaphrase

1. Select a source language

2. Select a target language or languages

3. Click on the Google Drive icon

4. Complete the Google verification process

5. Select the Google Doc file or files from your Google Drive

6. Click on the Translate button

Play the video below to show how easy it is to translate your Google Doc.

Ready to Get Started?

Pairaphrase allows you to translate Google Docs into English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Swedish, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and more (140+ languages and 20,000+ language pairs!).

What’s more, it performs file translation for 24 file formats.

Now that you know how to translate a whole Google document efficiently using Pairaphrase, experience it for yourself!

Schedule a demo or share this article with a colleague.