You’ve got a full Excel sheet to translate — rows, formulas, column headers — and the last thing you want to do is copy and paste cell by cell.
The problem? Excel’s built-in translation feature can only translate one cell at a time, and there’s no native way to convert an entire file into another language all at once.
We’ll show you a faster, cleaner way to translate your whole Excel file using Smallpdf. No reformatting, no manual work, and no complicated software.
Why Excel’s Built-in Translator Isn’t Enough
If you’ve tried using the Review > Translate feature in Excel, you’ve likely run into this limitation already: it only works on a single cell at a time.
That means you’d need to:
- Select a cell
- Run the translator
- Copy the result
- Replace the original
- Repeat hundreds of times
If you're working with a multi-tab sheet or a dataset with rows of information, this gets tedious fast.
Microsoft doesn’t currently support batch translation for entire Excel documents. Even online suggestions like using Google Translate require copy-pasting sections or breaking the formatting.
The Better Way: Translate Excel with Smallpdf
At Smallpdf, we built our Translate PDF to handle full documents — including Excel spreadsheets — with layout and structure intact.
You don’t need to convert your file ahead of time. Just upload your Excel document, select your language, and download your translated file.
How to Translate an Excel File with Smallpdf
Here’s how to translate an entire Excel file in a few quick steps: 1. Go to Translate PDF 2. Upload your Excel file (.xlsx) — no need to save it as PDF first 3. Select your translation type:
- Summary – for a quick overview
- Entire Document – to translate the full file while keeping structure
- Choose your source and target languages
- Click Translate
- Download your translated file in clean, readable PDF format
Translate an Entire Excel Document
You’ll get a translated version of your entire spreadsheet in minutes — ready to share or store without needing to edit it manually.
When to Use This Method
This is perfect for:
- Internal reports shared with teams across languages
- Vendor data or financial summaries in other markets
- Product lists, inventory logs, or category tables
- Spreadsheets prepared for cross-border partners or clients
- Education materials and student records
- HR sheets or onboarding documents in different languages
Because Smallpdf keeps your layout and table structure intact, you won’t lose your formatting — even if your spreadsheet has multiple sheets or formulas embedded.
Pro Tip: Translate, Then Convert Back to Excel (If Needed)
Need to keep working with your file in Excel after translation? After downloading your translated PDF, you can head to PDF to Excel and convert it back into an editable spreadsheet.
Convert Your Translated PDF into Excel
That gives you full flexibility:
- Translate your file
- Share or review the PDF
- Reconvert if you need to keep editing in Excel
FAQs
Is there a translate function in Excel for full documents?
No. Excel only lets you translate one cell at a time. There’s no built-in feature for translating an entire worksheet or file in one step.
How do I translate an Excel file to English (or another language) for free?
Upload your Excel file to Smallpdf Translate PDF, choose your languages, and download the translated PDF version for free.
Can you translate an entire Excel document?
Yes — with Smallpdf. You can translate full spreadsheets, including multiple tabs and tables, without manual copy-paste.
Will my Excel formatting be preserved?
Yes. Smallpdf keeps your layout, structure, and formatting intact during the translation process. You’ll receive a clean, structured PDF.
