How to Convert and Translate a Non-English PDF to Word
Question details
The user needs to open a non-English PDF, extract its information, translate it to English, convert it to a Word document, and copy the final file to a USB drive.
- Product
- PDF / Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Translating the contents of a foreign-language PDF and saving the converted English Word document to external storage.
- Observed behavior
- The user is trying to convert a foreign PDF to an English Word document and export it, while also bypassing a prompt suggesting the file requires an older version of Adobe Reader.
Ensure you have an active internet connection if you plan to use an online conversion or translation service, and verify that your USB flash drive is properly plugged into your computer.
Convert the PDF to Word and Translate Manually
Use a PDF-to-Word conversion tool first, then apply a document translator to rewrite the text in English before saving it externally.
Converting a PDF document to Word changes its format so the text becomes fully editable, but it does not automatically translate the language. You must perform the conversion and translation as two separate steps.
Check which PDF software you are currently using. If it shows an error about needing an older version of Adobe Reader, you may want to try an online conversion service like Adobe ExportPDF.
Upload your non-English PDF to a trusted PDF-to-Word converter and download the resulting .docx file.
Open the converted Word file in your word processor. Use built-in translation features (such as the 'Translate' option in the Review tab) or copy the text into a reliable online translator to convert it to English.
Once the document is fully translated into English, use 'Save As' to store the updated Word document in a familiar local folder, such as your Desktop or Documents.
Open your File Explorer, locate the saved English Word document, copy it, navigate to your connected USB drive, and paste the file there.
Convert and Translate PDFs Directly in WPS Office
WPS Office features an advanced, built-in PDF toolkit that lets you effortlessly open complex PDFs, convert them to editable Word documents, and translate text to English—all within a single, lightweight application.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your non-English PDF file directly. WPS bypasses many legacy format limitations.
- 2. Convert to Word: Go to the 'Tools' tab and click on 'PDF to Word' to securely transform the file into an editable document.
- 3. Translate to English: Open the newly converted Word document in WPS. Navigate to the 'Review' tab, click 'Translate', and select English as your target language.
- 4. Save to USB Drive: Click 'Menu' > 'Save As'. Browse to your connected USB flash drive, name your English document, and click 'Save'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF say it requires an older version of Adobe Reader?
This message typically appears if the PDF was created with dynamic XFA forms or legacy multimedia elements that modern basic PDF viewers do not support. Using an advanced reader like WPS Office or updating your current software usually resolves this.
Does converting a PDF to Word automatically translate the language?
No. Converting a PDF to Word only changes the file format to make the text editable. You still need to use a separate translation tool or built-in document translator to change the text into English.
Can I translate a PDF document without converting it to Word first?
Yes, some online translation services and advanced PDF editors can translate PDFs directly. However, converting to Word first is often recommended because it gives you full control over text editing and helps preserve layout adjustments after the language is changed.
