--- title: "Translate a CSV" description: "Upload a CSV, choose the right translation layout, review languages and columns, approve the credit estimate and download the finished file." canonical: "https://ai-glot.com/docs/platform/translate-csv" updated: "2026-08-09" --- # Translate a CSV This guide covers the complete signed-in workflow. Upload and translation start are currently available only in the web app. ## 1. Start a translation Open [AI Glot](https://app.ai-glot.com) and choose **New translation**. Select the layout closest to your data, then drag in a file or click the upload area to choose one. The file must be a UTF-8 `.csv`, contain a header row plus at least one data row, and be no larger than **35 MB**. See [CSV requirements](/docs/platform/csv-files) for formatting details. ![New translation upload screen](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-upload-mode-selection.webp) _Choose a layout and upload a CSV_ ## 2. Wait for analysis AI Glot reads the complete file, profiles each column and proposes: - the translation layout; - source and target languages; - content columns and language columns; - the number of billable words; - a credit estimate. Analysis does not consume credits. A proposal is not final: check it against what the columns actually mean. ## 3. Review the mapping Choose the source and destination columns deliberately. Columns used as identifiers, SKUs, URLs, prices, inventory or internal keys should normally remain untouched. ![Empty CSV upload screen](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-upload-empty.webp) _The empty upload state shows the three-step workflow_ ## The four translation modes Choose a mode before analysis, then confirm the mapping on the review screen. You can still switch modes before launching the translation. **Single column** Translate one source text column into a target language. The source and target language may be fixed for the file or read from language columns, and the result can replace an existing column or create a new one. ![Single column mapping with source and target columns](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-full-csv-mapping.webp) _Single column maps one source column to an existing or new target column_ **Selected columns** Translate several chosen content columns with one fixed source language and one fixed target language. Selected columns are translated in place; identifiers, keys and other unselected columns stay unchanged. ![Selected columns mapping and target language](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-review-language-dropdown.webp) _Selected columns lets you choose the fields to translate while keeping the CSV structure_ **Multi-language** Fill several destination language columns from one source column. Each destination column receives its own fixed language, such as `fr`, `de` or `es`. ![Multi-language column mapping](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-multilanguage-language-selector.webp) _Multi-language columns map one source to several language destinations_ **Full CSV** Translate every detected text cell and every header using one fixed source language and one fixed target language. Use this when the complete table is human-facing content and no operational column should be excluded. ![Full CSV review with language, scope and credit estimate](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-full-csv-review.webp) _Full CSV translates the complete table, including headers_ > **Tip: Use the preview** > > Hover or open a column choice to inspect sample values. A correct header name can still contain the wrong kind of data. ## 4. Choose quality and terminology **Standard** uses the most capable translation process and costs approximately one credit per billable word. Paid plans can choose **Lite**, a lighter process intended for larger, less critical content at about one third of the Standard credit cost. If your workspace has a glossary for the source-target pair, AI Glot applies it automatically. Paid plans may also add batch-specific instructions of up to 1,500 characters. ![Translation quality and custom guidelines](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-review-quality-guidelines.webp) _Choose Lite or Standard and add batch-specific guidance_ ## 5. Approve the estimate The review screen shows the final estimate before anything is charged. The count depends on the layout: - Single column: words in the chosen source column; - Multi-language columns: source words multiplied by the number of destinations; - Selected columns: words across the chosen columns; - Full CSV: words across all translated cells; headers are included in the same count. Credits are reserved atomically when translation starts. Another simultaneous job cannot spend the same balance. ## 6. Follow progress and download The translation page shows the current phase and percentage. You can leave the page; the work continues on Cloudflare, and AI Glot sends a completion email when the result is ready. AI Glot does not currently publish a reliable wall-clock ETA. Duration depends on the number of translated cells, text length, destination count and provider retries—not file size alone. Analysis is one pass; translation is the longer phase. Use the live percentage for the current job rather than treating a generic minute estimate as a promise. ![Translation progress screen](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-progress.webp) _Progress remains visible while the translation runs_ ![Analysis ready review screen](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-analysis-ready.webp) _An analysed batch waits for mapping confirmation before credits are spent_ When complete, click **Download**. The result preserves delimiter choice, quoting, embedded line breaks, whitespace, blank rows, row order and every cell outside the selected translation scope. ![Completed translation details](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-completed.webp) _Completed translations expose the result and its activity_ ![Translation actions menu](/docs/screenshots/platform/translation-actions-menu.webp) _Use the actions menu to rename, download the source, rerun or archive_ > **Success** > > The downloaded file keeps the same row order and structural CSV rules as the source. ## If you do not have enough credits Eligible accounts may receive a free quality sample when the full estimate is at least 7,000 credits and exceeds the available balance. AI Glot targets about 5,000 credits, rounds to complete rows and caps the sample at 500 rows. Samples consume zero credits.