How to Translate a Document in Word (Whole File or Selection)

To translate a whole document in Word, go to Review > Translate > Translate Document, pick the language you want in the Translator pane, and select Translate. Word opens a translated copy in a new window and leaves your original untouched. To translate just part of the text, select it first and choose Translate Selection instead. The feature needs Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 or later, an internet connection, and Office connected experiences turned on, according to Microsoft’s guide to translating text into a different language.

Translate an Entire Word Document

These steps work in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac.

1. Open the document you want to translate.
2. Select the Review tab.
3. Select Translate, then Translate Document. The Translator pane opens on the right.
4. Check the From language. Auto-detect usually gets it right, but you can set it yourself if the document mixes languages.
5. In the To list, choose the language you want.
6. Select Translate. After a few seconds, a translated copy opens in a new Word window.
7. Save the copy with File > Save As and give it a new name, such as Report – Spanish, so you don’t confuse it with the original.

The copy keeps most of your formatting, including headings, lists, and tables. Text inside pictures isn’t translated, and complex layouts with text boxes may need some touch-ups afterward.

Translate Only Selected Text

Use this when a document is mostly in one language but has a paragraph or quote you need to read or replace.

1. Select the words, sentence, or paragraphs you want translated.
2. Go to Review > Translate > Translate Selection. You can also right-click the selection and choose Translate.
3. In the Translator pane, choose the target language in the To list. The translation appears in the pane.
4. To swap your original text for the translation, select Insert. To keep the original, copy the translated text from the pane and paste it where you want it.

Selecting a single word shows dictionary-style results with other possible meanings, which helps when a word has more than one translation.

Translate a Document in Word for the Web

1. Open the document in Word for the web from OneDrive or SharePoint.
2. Go to Review > Translate and choose Translate Document or Translate Selection.
3. Pick the target language in the Translator pane and select Translate.

As on the desktop, Word creates a separate translated copy rather than changing your file. Save or rename it so you can find it later.

If You Don’t See the Translate Button

• Older version of Word. The current Translator needs Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 or later. Older versions may show a different translation tool or none. Update Word, or use Word for the web for free with a Microsoft account.
• Connected experiences are off. Translation runs through Microsoft’s online service. On Windows, go to File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings and make sure connected experiences that analyze content are turned on. Your organization may control this setting.
• The ribbon is collapsed or narrow. Widen the Word window. On a small screen, Translate may be tucked into a group button on the Review tab.
• The file is read-only or in Protected View. Select Enable Editing in the yellow bar first.

Translate a PDF With Word

Word can’t translate a PDF directly, but it can convert one first. Open the PDF with File > Open in the Word desktop app, let Word convert it to an editable document, and then use Translate Document. Converted PDFs sometimes lose layout details, so check the result closely. Our guide to editing a PDF in Word explains what to expect from the conversion.

How Accurate Is Word’s Translation?

Word uses Microsoft Translator, an automatic machine translation service. It’s good for understanding a document, drafting a first version, or handling everyday messages. It can miss tone, idioms, legal meaning, or technical terms. For contracts, medical information, published material, or anything official, have a fluent speaker or professional translator review the result.

A few habits improve the output:

• Write short, clear sentences in the original.
• Fix spelling and grammar before translating, since typos can change the meaning.
• Spell out abbreviations and avoid slang.
• Check names, product terms, and numbers in the translated copy.

Check Spelling in the New Language

After translating, Word may still check the text against your original language and flag every word. Select all the text with Ctrl+A, then go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language and pick the new language. For more detail, see how to change the spell check language in Word. Changing the proofing language is different from changing Word’s menus, which is covered in our guide on changing the language in Word.

FAQ

Is Word’s translator free?

There’s no extra charge. It’s included with Microsoft 365, Office 2021 and later, and Word for the web.

Does translating change my original document?

Translate Document never changes the original; it always creates a copy. Translate Selection only replaces text if you select Insert, and you can press Ctrl+Z to undo it.

Is my document private when I translate it?

The text is sent to Microsoft’s online translation service to be processed, which is why the feature needs an internet connection and connected experiences. Check your organization’s rules before translating confidential files.

Can Word translate English to Hindi or other specific languages?

Yes, as long as the language appears in the To list. For a Hindi walkthrough, see how to convert English to Hindi in Word.

Matt Wilmont

Matt has been writing about Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft products since the days of Windows XP. He spends much of his time writing for sites like WindowBrain.com