Is it possible to translate whole PDF files while keeping their original formatting?
Yes. By using real-time PDF translation, you can translate whole PDF files with just a few clicks, keeping all formatting and images in place. The number of document translations available per month depends on your subscription plan.
Please note that DeepL uses an Adobe API for converting the PDF content to formatted text and then for converting the translated document back to a PDF. This means that your PDF file and the translated document will be sent to Adobe Inc., located in the US, to be converted. The translation will, of course, be performed by DeepL. You can find more information in our Privacy Policy.
For each uploaded PDF document, DeepL requires your confirmation that you intend to translate the PDF file by using the Adobe API. If you do not confirm, translation of whole PDF documents is not possible, but your texts will only be processed exclusively within the European Economic Area.
If you still want to translate text from PDF files, but your texts to be processed exclusively within the European Economic Area, you can translate text extracted from a PDF file with the desktop apps. Please note that the formatting won’t be retained. Read more about this feature here.
For free users of DeepL Translator:
When you upload a PDF document for translation while using DeepL Translator (the free version), you will be informed that the Adobe API, which is used for converting PDF documents in the translation process, is located in the US. You will be asked to confirm the translation of each PDF file individually during the file upload.
For individual subscribers (DeepL Pro Starter, Advanced, and Ultimate):
If you are an individual subscriber, you can decide whether you want to give your confirmation just for one PDF translation or save your confirmation for future PDF translations too. You can, of course, change your choice at any time and adapt your account settings. You can do so in your DeepL Pro account, under Translation settings.
For team administrators:
If you are a team administrator, you can authorize PDF translations for your team. You can do so in your DeepL Pro account, under Translation settings, by clicking on the toggle switch enabling PDF translations. Otherwise, your team won’t be able to translate whole PDF files. In this case, when trying to translate a PDF document, any team member in your team will be informed that they can’t translate PDF files without the prior authorization from their team administrator, whom they should contact for further information.
Once you’ve enabled real-time PDF file translation for your team, another toggle switch will be displayed, which you can use to give confirmation for all your own future PDF translations. With this toggle switch disabled, you will be asked to confirm each PDF translation individually during your file upload.
For team members:
If you are a team member, you can translate whole PDF files only if your team administrator has authorized this feature for your team. Please contact your team administrator if you can’t translate PDF files.
Once your team administrator has authorized real-time PDF file translation for your team, you can decide whether you want to give your confirmation just for one PDF translation or save your confirmation for future PDF translations too. You can, of course, change your choice at any time and adapt your account settings. You can do so in your DeepL Pro account, under Translation settings.
For subscribers of DeepL API Free and DeepL API Pro:
When using the DeepL API, we don't ask you for your confirmation before each translation of a PDF document for technical reasons. You are, therefore, asked to give us your confirmation by enabling the use of PDF translations in your account settings. This should be done before translating PDF documents.
To translate PDF files, please log in to your DeepL Pro account and confirm that you would like to translate PDF files by using the Adobe API. You can do so under Translation settings, by clicking on the toggle switch enabling PDF translations.
Please note that there will be an error returned if you try translating a PDF file without giving your confirmation in your DeepL Pro account. You can find more information in the API documentation.