---
title: "Translate Word files"
description: "Translate .docx, .dotx and .docm files up to 25 MB and get a Word file back with tables, footnotes, headers and formatting in place, plus example instructions to copy."
canonical: "https://ai-glot.com/docs/formats/word"
updated: "2026-10-12"
---

# Translate Word files

Word documents (`.docx`, `.dotx` and `.docm`) are accepted up to **25 MB**. AI Glot reads the paragraphs, headings, tables, headers, footers and footnotes, translates them, and writes the result back into the same file. You get a Word file that opens the way the original did.

> **Tip: Try it free**
>
> Drop a file of up to 2 MB on the free [Word translator](https://ai-glot.com/file-formats/word-translation) to try it with no account, five files a day. The app, the API and the CLI take Word files up to 25 MB.

## What is translated, and what is left alone

| Translated                                                            | Left as it was                                       |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Paragraphs, headings and lists                                        | Styles, fonts, margins and page breaks               |
| Table cells                                                           | Images and drawings                                  |
| Headers, footers and footnotes                                        | Text inside charts, SmartArt and embedded objects    |
| Bold, italics and links inside a sentence, moved with the right words | Paragraphs with tracked changes, and comment threads |

Long paragraphs are cut at sentence boundaries, translated and joined back into one paragraph, so a 300-page document is not a problem. The plan lists what it leaves untouched before you approve.

## What you can ask

**Formal tone, consistent terms**

Sets the register and keeps defined terms steady from the first clause to the last.

Translate this document into French. Use a formal tone and keep defined terms such as "the Supplier" and "the Customer" consistent throughout.

**Protect names**

Leaves the names you list in the source language.

Translate into German, but keep the company name Acme and the product name Flowbox in English.

**Tables only**

Scopes the plan to table cells and leaves the running text alone.

Translate only the text inside the tables into Spanish. Leave all other paragraphs as they are.

**Headings and headers**

Scopes the plan to the structure of the document.

Translate only the headings, headers and footers into Italian.

**Footnotes included**

Makes sure notes are part of the plan and keeps citations intact.

Translate the whole document into Portuguese, including footnotes. Leave legal citations and article numbers unchanged.

## Good to know

- **One target language per upload.** A Word file holds one language. If you ask for two, the plan translates one and says so. Run the file once for each language you need: your [glossary](/docs/platform/glossaries) carries over.
- **Ceiling.** 25 MB. A larger file is refused before anything is stored.
- **Tracked changes and comments.** Paragraphs with tracked changes and comment threads are left as they are, because translating a revision means deciding for the author whether to accept it. Accept or reject the changes first if you want that text translated.
- **Old `.doc` files** are not read. Open them in Word and save as `.docx` first. The upload tells you so.
- **Document language.** When you translate into one language, the language label of the document is updated so spell-checking follows the new text.
- **Output filter.** Not available for Word: the whole file comes back, with the same name pattern and the same format.

## Related

- [PowerPoint](/docs/formats/powerpoint), [OpenDocument](/docs/formats/opendocument) and [PDF](/docs/formats/pdf) work the same way for slides, LibreOffice files and finished documents.
- [Translate a file](/docs/platform/translate-a-file) explains the plan and the review.
- [All file formats](/docs/formats)