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Using DeepL while browsing

  • Updated
Content is translated from English using DeepL Pro.

How can I use DeepL's browser extensions?

With the DeepL extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, you can do the following within your browser:

Please note that some limits may apply to the functionality of the browser extensions depending on your DeepL plan. You can find more information about these limitations in this article.

Note: For all the features mentioned below, you can change the detected source and target languages of your browser extension at any time in the browser extension settings. 

Full-page translation

With the Full-page translation feature you can translate whole webpages instantly. The page will be translated automatically as you scroll down. This feature is only available for DeepL Pro subscribers.

To translate webpages:

  1. Log in to your DeepL account
  2. Visit a website you'd like to translate
  3. A pop-up will appear—choose your target language and click Translate page
  4. The text will automatically be translated into your target language as you scroll down

In the Full-page translation tab of the DeepL extension browser settings you can:

  • Define languages that should always be translated from–go to the Always translate automatically from section
  • Define languages that should never be translated from—go to the Never show the full-page translation pop-up for these languages section

Please note that the target language is the same for both the Full-page translation and Reading features. 

 

Translate while reading

If you would like to only translate certain parts of a webpage, you can use the Translate while reading feature of the browser extensions. This feature is available for all users.

To translate sections of text while reading:

  1. Select the text you would like to translate and click the DeepL floating icon blue and white DeepL icon (shortcut ⇧+⌘+Y for Mac / Ctrl+Shift+Y for Windows)
  2. The translation will pop up in a DeepL window
  3. Define your target language via the language dropdown at the top of the window
  4. Copy your translation to your clipboard, listen to the translation, and more

You can move the pop-up window by dragging and dropping it with your cursor.

If you want to use a custom shortcut, you can also change the shortcut in your settings.

 

Translate your writing

For emails, comments or other texts you input in your browser, you can use DeepL to translate your writing instantly. This feature is available for all users.

To translate while writing:

  1. Type text in your source language and highlight it

  2. Click the DeepL floating icon blue and white DeepL icon that appears in the text area

  3. The complete text will be translated immediately into your chosen target language, replacing the text you’ve written

To activate the DeepL extension for your browser, you can also press the shortcut ⇧+⌘+Y for Mac / Ctrl+Shift+Y for Windows or your custom shortcut.

If no default target language is set, you will be asked to select one before the translation.

You can change your target language at any time by clicking the language icon Language change which appears when you hover over the DeepL floating icon blue and white DeepL icon.

Set the tone

When translating your writing with the Chrome and Edge extensions, you have the option to change the tone of your translation with DeepL's formal/informal feature through Alternatives. This feature is only available for DeepL Pro subscribers.

To apply a formal or informal tone:

  1. Log in with your DeepL account in your browser extension
  2. Highlight the text you want to translate and click the Alternatives floating icon that appears
  3. Go to the Translator tab and click the dropdown menu on the right side of the window
  4. Select a tone for your translation: automatic, formal or informal
  5. The new tone will apply to all displayed alternative translations
  6. Choose one of the alternative translations

Note: The formal/informal feature doesn't support all the languages yet. Learn more about the feature itself and the supported languages here.

 

Improve your texts while writing

You also have the option to improve your written text, e.g., when composing emails. This feature is available for all users.

To improve your texts while writing:

  1. Type your text in a text editor in your browser (e.g., your email application)
  2. Hover over the DeepL floating icon blue and white DeepL icon that appears in the text area
  3. Click on the Improve icon Improve icon
  4. The complete text will be improved immediately, replacing the original text you’ve written.

While improving your text, DeepL checks grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

You can change the source language at any time by clicking on the language icon Language change.png which appears when you hover over the DeepL floating icon blue and white DeepL icon.

Under Three vertical dots you also have the option to define a style and tone for your improved text. Learn more about writing styles and tones in DeepL Write this article.

Currently, the improve function is only available for languages supported by DeepL Write. More information about DeepL Write and all supported languages can be found here.

Select styles and tones

When improving your written texts with the extensions for Chrome and Edge, you have the option to change the style and tone of your text.

To change the style or tone of your text:

  1. Highlight the text you want to improve and click on the Alternative floating icon that will appear
  2. Go to the Write tab and click on the dropdown menu on the right hand side of the window
  3. Select a style or tone for your text
  4. The new style or tone will be applied to all displayed alternative texts
  5. Select one of the alternative texts

Learn more about the styles and tones feature in this article.

 

Manage the DeepL floating icons

You can enable and disable the DeepL floating icons (DeepL icon and icon for Alternatives) at any time in your browser extension settings.

To disable the floating icons:

  1. Hover over the DeepL icon and click on the Turn off button which appears
  2. A window will open asking you whether you would like to deactivate the DeepL icon on your current site or on all sites
  3. Select one of the options and confirm your choice by clicking OK

To (re)enable the floating icon:

  1. Go to the browser extension’s settings
  2. a) Click to enable the Show the DeepL floating icon DeepL icon in the Translator or Write tabs
    b) Click to enable Show full-page translation pop-upGreen toggle switch in the Full-page translation tab

If you have disabled the floating icons or full-page translation for specific websites:

  1. Go to the browser extension’s settings
  2. Delete the Never show… entries by clicking X next to the entry

 

Keep it consistent

When using the DeepL browser extensions for Chrome and Edge, you have the option to apply your glossaries to your translations. The glossary in the browser extension is only available for DeepL Pro subscribers.

To apply a glossary:

  1. Log in with your DeepL account in your browser extension
  2. Go to your extension settings
  3. Navigate to Glossary
  4. Enable the glossary feature by clicking the toggle switch Bildschirmfoto 2023-09-06 um 16.31.51.png
  5. Select a glossary that you would like to apply

You can change your selected glossary at any time in your settings.

Note: It is not possible to change, delete or create glossaries from within the browser extensions. You can edit and manage your glossaries in the web translator or desktop app.

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