SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Document Library Automatically Creating Spanish Documents

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where a specific SharePoint document library automatically generates a Spanish-translated version of every uploaded document, even though the site and library language settings are strictly configured to English.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading standard documents to one specific SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: A Spanish version of the uploaded document is automatically created alongside the original file, while other document libraries remain completely unaffected.

Before you start

Verify your current site and library language settings to ensure they are set to English, and check if any custom workflows (such as Power Automate flows) are attached to this specific library.

Solution 1Recommended

Investigate File Activity and Automated Processes

Use the built-in activity pane in SharePoint to identify if a specific user, background workflow, or Power Automate flow is creating the translated copies.

Since the issue is isolated to a single document library, it is highly likely that an automated process or flow is attached exclusively to that library.

Navigate to the affected library

Open your browser and go to the specific SharePoint document library where the Spanish documents are being created.

Select the translated document

Click the circular checkmark next to one of the newly created Spanish documents to select it.

Open the Details pane

Click the 'Details' pane icon (an 'i' enclosed in a circle) located in the top right corner of the SharePoint interface.

Review the Activity log

Scroll down to the 'Activity' and 'Properties' sections. Look closely at who or what created the file. If it says 'Power Automate', 'SharePoint App', or a specific service account, an automated workflow is responsible.

Check Power Automate Workflows: If you discover an automation is running, click the 'Integrate' > 'Power Automate' > 'See your flows' menu at the top of the library to disable the translation flow.

Solution 2

Perform Environment and Permission Isolation Checks

Determine if the issue is tied to local browser cache, specific user permissions, or is deeply embedded in the current library structure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint library translate documents automatically?

This is typically caused by an active Power Automate workflow (such as a template that translates new documents) or a third-party translation add-in linked specifically to that individual document library.

How do I turn off translation workflows in SharePoint?

Navigate to the affected library, click on the 'Integrate' dropdown in the top menu, select 'Power Automate', and choose 'See your flows'. From there, you can toggle off or delete any active translation flows.

Can browser extensions cause SharePoint to create translated files?

While rare, browser extensions that automatically translate web pages might interfere with web-based uploads. Testing your upload in an InPrivate or Incognito browsing session helps easily rule this out.

How can I see who or what created a file in SharePoint?

Select the document in question and open the details pane by clicking the 'i' icon in the top right. Scroll to the 'Activity' log to see if a specific user, 'SharePoint App', or an automated system created the file.

Document & File Issues