How to Translate Scanned PDFs: 6 Effective Ways

It is very easy to find a way to translate Word into any language you need. But it is not easy to translate a PDF, not to say to translate a scanned PDF. If you search around, you will find there are many ways to do this job, however, when you try them, only find they cannot work.

To avoid wasting your time, we tested all methods introduced in the market and listed six effective ways here.

Part 1. How to Translate a Scanned PDF With UPDF (5 Ways)

UPDF is a powerful tool that simplifies translating scanned PDFs. With its built-in OCR feature and UPDF AI, you can quickly convert scanned documents into editable or selectable formats and translate the content into any language. Download UPDF and start translating your scanned PDFs effortlessly!

UPDF does not only offer one way to do it, it has six methods. You can follow the step-by-step guide below to translate the scanned PDF directly.

Way 1. Translate the Entire Scanned PDF with Layout Retention

If you want to translate the entire scanned PDF into the language you need, you can follow these steps.

Step 1. Import the Required Image-Based or scanned PDF File

Find the UPDF tool on your device. Double-tap to open the tool and select the "Open File" option to import the required PDF file. Explore your device and open the scanned PDF file to convert it.

Step 2. OCR the File to Make It Editable

Now, when you have opened the file, head to the right sidebar and hit the "Recognize Text Using OCR" button. This will ask you to download the OCR features if needed.

Step 3. Customize the OCR Output Result

Following this, make sure you choose the "Searchable PDF" option under the "Document Type" section. After that, head to the "Layout" section and choose the needed option from the drop-down list. Moreover, you can also click the "Gear" icon for more customization. Then set the "Document Language," "Image Resolution," "Page Range," and page number settings. UPDF supports OCR convert documents in 38 languages. Now, click the "Perform OCR" button to start the OCR conversion process. Once the process ends, the OCRed PDF file will open in your UPDF.

Step 4. Translate the Whole Scanned PDF

Now, go to "Reader" mode, click on the "PDF Translation" icon, select the target language and page ranges, then, click on the "Translate" to select the location to save it. Now, UPDF will start translating the whole scanned PDF into your language.

A few seconds, the ready PDF will be opened in UPDF automatically and you can read it without any problem.

Way 2. Translate Scanned PDF Via Selecting

To improve your translating efficiency, UPDF allows you to translate the scanned PDF content by selecting the content you want to translate, and then, choosing the prompt to translate. Here is a detailed guide for you. First of all, download UPDF via the below button on your computer.

Just follow the steps mentioned before to open the PDF with UPDF and make the PDF editable with OCR. Then, you can select the content you want to translate and you will find the "Prompt" in the pop-up menu. Choose "Translate" to pick the desired language. Then, the UPDF AI will help you translate the content automatically.

Way 3. Translate Scanned PDF Via Copying and Pasting

UPDF AI is integrated into UPDF. You can also use the copying and pasting method to translate scanned PDFs.

Step 1. OCR PDF

First of all, you need to open PDF, Click "Recognize text using OCR"> "Perform OCR" to select one place to save the OCRed document. Once it is done, the OCRED PDF will open in the UPDF automatically.

Step 2. Copy and Translate

Now, you can select all the contents you want to translate into the PDF, then, copy them all. Click "UPDF AI", select "Chat", click on "Translate" and choose the language. Then, paste the copied content in the message box and click the "Send" icon to translate all contents to the desired language. This feature also allows you to translate PDFs from Telugu to English, Russian, German, French, Arabic, or Hebrew to English effortlessly.

Way 4. Translate the Scanned PDF with a Screenshot

As UPDF AI supports chatting with images, you can use its screenshot feature to translate the scanned PDF. The guide is simple as you do not need to use OCR feature.

Just open the PDF with UPDF, then, click on the UPDF AI icon, now, go to "Chat" mode, select "Screenshot', draw to select the area you need to translate, enter the prompt "Translate the image into [Language you need]", and press enter. Now, UPDF AI will help you translate.

Way 5. Translate Scanned PDF With Converting

If you wish to convert the scanned PDF into a Word document and subsequently translate it, this method is suitable for your needs. It is also very easy and straightforward.

Step 1. Convert Scanned PDF to Word

You can download UPDF using the button below if you do not have it on your computer. Once it is installed, open PDF with UPDF, OCR PDF with the same steps introduced above, and click "Export PDF" > "Word" to convert OCRED PDF to Word.

Step 2. Copy All Contents to Translate

You can copy all contents from the word file, then, click "UPDF AI" > "Chat" > "Prompt" > "Translate" > choose the language. Paste the content, and click the second icon to translate the scanned PDF.

You can see it is easy to translate scanned PDF with these methods. You may want to know why to use UPDF instead of other methods. Here are the key benefits of utilizing UPDF for translating scanned PDFs:

• Convert scanned PDFs to a searchable and editable format, enabling post-translation modifications.
• Support translating the entire scanned PDF into the language you need with one click. Also, you can select, copy, and screenshot any part to translate.
• Achieve precise translation of scanned PDFs into any language with the highest level of accuracy.
• Option to convert translations into notes by selecting Way 1 below.
• User-friendly interface, requiring only a few mouse clicks to operate.

Other AI Features of UPDF

Apart from translating scanned PDFs, there are many other features that UPDF provides. These features can prove very beneficial for users worldwide. So, let's have a sneak peek and a little understanding of these various features:

• Summarize PDF: With this feature; users will get to extract key points and essential information from lengthy PDF documents. This will save extensive time and effort in reviewing and comprehending lengthy content.
• Term Explanation: AI integration in UPDF will offer a term explanation, enabling users to obtain instant definitions and explanations for specific terms or concepts. This feature will be particularly useful for users who encounter unfamiliar terminology while reading or studying.
• Write: UPDF will also provide a writing assistance feature. Users will have access to AI-powered suggestions and prompts to help them generate content efficiently. This feature will assist users in composing high-quality written material directly within the PDF editor.
• Rewrite PDF: This particular feature will assist users in paraphrasing or rephrasing sentences or paragraphs within PDF documents. This will be helpful for users who need to reword content while maintaining the original meaning. Or for those who want to improve the clarity and style of their writing.

Try all features on your own now.

Video Tutorial on How to Translate Scanned PDF on Windows

Also Read: How to Translate PDF from English to Marathi? (Accurately)

Part 2. How to Translate Scanned PDF Online via Screenshot and UPDF's Online AI

If you have a scanned PDF and do not want to download UPDF on your device, you can also use UPDF's AI as it can work online. Just follow the below steps:

Step 1. Open the scanned PDF with default software or UPDF. Use the default screenshot feature of your computer to screenshot the content in the scanned PDF. In Windows, you can press "PrtSc" and on Mac, you can use "Command+Shift+4". Once it is done, you can find the screenshot on your computer.

Step 2. Click the button below to visit UPDF's Online AI Assistant. Create an account or log in. Then, click on the "Attachment" icon to upload the image and enter the prompt "Translate the text to Spanish" for example. Now, press enter to translate the image content to the language you need.

Also Read: How to Translate PDFs Online for Free: 3 Step-by-Step Guides

Conclusion

In short, translating scanned PDFs to any language with the help of the methods we introduced above can be done easily. However, not every method may meet your needs. Comparing these three methods, we think UPDF is the best one as it is free to use for certain times without any file size and character limitations.

You can download UPDF via the below button to use it and once you use all translation times in the free version, you can upgrade to the pro version at a discounted price.