Complete translator user guide

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Start here: your first translation

Translate turns a document in one language into a draft in another. You can read and edit the draft, download it, and choose digital sealing or sworn-translator review when available.

1. Prepare a clear PDF, Word document (.docx) or photo. Sign in before uploading.
2. Choose Add document, select the file and choose the language you want. Check the source language too.
3. Read the quote. Approve the amount shown when you are ready. Some scans need to be read before an exact translation price is available.
4. Wait for Draft ready. Compare the translation against the original, especially names, dates, numbers and missing lines.
5. Download the draft, or choose the appropriate review and certification option. Check what the receiving organisation requires before selecting a final service.

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Create an account or sign in

Use Sign in or Create account. The email flow handles both new and existing accounts.

1. Enter an email address you can access, then select Continue.
2. If your account uses a password, enter it. If you cannot remember it, use the offered email-code option.
3. For an email code, open your inbox and enter the latest six digits on the same sign-in screen. Check spam or junk if the message is missing.
4. Use the Google or Lex sign-in button if that is how you normally access your account. Complete the provider’s sign-in and return to Translate.

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Enter or resend your email code

The code screen tells you whether verification succeeded or why it did not.

1. Copy the latest code from the email and enter all six digits. Follow the verification result shown on the same screen.
2. If the code is incorrect, check for typing errors. If it has expired, request a fresh code.
3. Wait for the 60-second resend countdown to finish before choosing resend. Use the new code rather than an older email.
4. If the email address is wrong, return to the email step and correct it. If repeated attempts are blocked, wait and follow the on-screen message.

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Tell us about yourself

After your first sign-in, you may see Tell us a little about yourself. These details help keep your contact information and preferences together.

1. Choose your preferred language for emails: English, Sinhala or Tamil. English is the default when no preference has been saved.
2. Enter your phone number with its country code, select your profession and choose how you plan to use Translate.
3. Select your industry. If your profession or industry is not listed, choose Other and enter it.
4. Select Save details. If you choose Complete later, return to My account to finish the form.

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Prepare a file that is easy to read

A clear original helps the system and any human reviewer understand your document.

1. Use a PDF, a .docx Word file, or a JPG, PNG or WebP photo. The upload dialog accepts files up to 15 MB.
2. For photos, include the whole page, keep it upright, use even lighting and avoid shadows, glare and fingers covering words.
3. For a document with several pages, keep the pages in order. A single clear PDF is often easier to manage than separate photographs.
4. Open the file yourself before uploading. Check that text and small numbers are readable and that no pages are missing.
5. If you have an old .doc file or another unsupported format, save a copy as .docx or PDF in the application that created it.

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Add a document

The Add document button opens the file and language dialog. On a phone, open the menu if the button is not visible.

1. Choose Add document. Drag your file into the upload area, or select the area to browse your device.
2. On a supported phone, Take a photo opens the camera. Allow camera access only if you want to use it.
3. Check the selected filename. Use the replace control if you selected the wrong file.
4. Choose the source and target languages, review the price information, and continue. If you started while signed out, sign in first and select the file again.

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Choose the language direction

The source is the language of your original. The target is the language you want to receive.

1. Check the source language. If a detected language is incorrect, use the available language control to correct it before starting.
2. Choose a target language. Use More languages to find an available language beyond the main choices.
3. If the dialog offers a second target language, select it only if you need an additional translation. Review the quote for the selected languages.
4. For a document with more than one completed translation, select the target language you want before editing or downloading.
5. To add another translation later, use Translate again from the document actions when offered, choose a different target, and approve its quote.

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Check the quote before continuing

The price depends on the file, text and selected languages. The amount shown in your current quote is the amount to review; example screenshots are not a price list.

1. For a readable Word file, the upload dialog may show an exact price with Approve [amount] & continue.
2. For PDFs and photos, the first figure may be an estimate. The system reads the file, then shows an exact price for approval if required.
3. Check any translation and reading charges. The interface explains whether your allowance or balance covers them and whether payment is currently required.
4. If your balance is short, use the Top up or billing link shown. Return to the document after arranging funds.
5. Approve only when the file, language direction and amount are correct. If an exact quote is still needed on the next screen, follow that prompt.

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Follow reading and translation progress

Reading extracts words from a file. Translating produces the draft in your selected language. These are different stages.

1. Watch the status and progress text. A scan can spend time in Reading before translation starts.
2. If a price approval or terms prompt appears, complete it before expecting the translation to proceed.
3. Once background processing has started, you can leave the page and return through My documents. Do not upload the same file again just because it is still running.
4. When the status becomes Draft ready, open the document and review it. If processing fails, follow the retry message or contact support with the document title and error.

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Find and organise your documents

My documents is your document library. Open a record to return to its progress, draft, downloads and review options.

1. Use the search field to find a document by its title.
2. Use the available status filters to focus on saved, in-progress or completed work. Some filters appear only when there are enough records.
3. Open the document row or card. Use its actions menu for options such as rename or archive when available.
4. Choose a meaningful name that helps you distinguish versions, people or matters without opening every file.

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Read the translated draft

Reading gives the translation more room. It is useful when you want to read the document naturally or use a smaller screen.

1. Open the document and select the language you want to review.
2. Choose Reading above the text.
3. Read from beginning to end. Check headings, paragraph order, names, dates, numbers and any omitted words.
4. Use Copy translation to copy the text. Use Export reading PDF if you want a PDF of this reading layout.

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Compare the original and translation

Side by side places the source and translation next to each other so you can compare their meaning.

1. Choose Side by side above the document.
2. Compare the source on the left with the translation on the right. Work through the document in order.
3. Pay special attention to names, amounts, dates, reference numbers, conditions and negative words such as “not”.
4. If the columns feel narrow on a phone, rotate the phone, choose Reading or use Paragraph view. A wider screen is useful for detailed comparison.
5. Choose Export side-by-side PDF to download the comparison layout. This is different from downloading only the translated document.

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Review one paragraph at a time

Paragraph view helps you concentrate on smaller parts of a long document.

1. Choose Paragraph above the document.
2. Use Next and Previous to move between paragraphs, or Find in paragraphs to search.
3. Use the editing controls offered for that paragraph, then wait for the save result before moving on.
4. Use Accept & next to mark a paragraph reviewed. This does not certify the document. To export a review PDF, switch to Reading or Side by side and use its export button.

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Edit, save and check suggestions

An editable draft can be corrected before you decide what to do with it. The save indicator tells you whether your latest changes have reached the server.

1. Click the editable translated text or the paragraph editing control. Correct the wording while preserving the original meaning.
2. Use formatting controls when available for headings, emphasis or alignment. Avoid adding or removing source sections unintentionally.
3. Wait until the indicator says Saved before closing the page, sharing or exporting your final copy.
4. Open Suggestions or Points to check to review flagged numbers, years, clause numbering or wording. These checks help you review; they do not guarantee accuracy.
5. Open Properties in the workspace panel to see available document information, language versions and file details. On smaller screens, use the panel controls to reveal it.

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Keep checkpoints and use history

Autosave keeps your current draft. A checkpoint keeps a named point that you can compare with or restore later.

1. Wait for Saved, then choose Checkpoint.
2. Give it a short name such as “Names checked” and confirm the checkpoint.
3. Open History to see saved checkpoints and the actions available for them.
4. Compare a checkpoint with the current draft before restoring. Save a checkpoint of your current work first if you may need to return to it.
5. Restore only when you want the older checkpoint’s content brought into the draft. Review and save the result.

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Download the right file

The controls near the document title download document files. Export reading PDF and Export side-by-side PDF export those review layouts.

1. Check the selected target language and wait for Saved.
2. Use Download translation near the title for the translated PDF. Open its arrow, More download formats, for other formats. Some workspaces label this menu Download files.
3. Use the export button inside the reading or comparison workspace for a PDF of that view.
4. Open the saved file and check its language, page breaks, tables and complete text before handing it over.
5. Keep the descriptive filename. Downloads use the document name and applicable language/layout information to help distinguish them. Your browser may also add a number when a file with the same name exists.

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Share a document safely

Sharing creates controlled access to a document. It is different from emailing a downloaded attachment.

1. Open the document, choose Share, then New link.
2. Choose what the recipient can see: the certificate, translation or full document. Full document includes originals and every version. Then choose View only, Can comment or Can suggest edits.
3. Set an expiry date or duration, choose whether downloads are allowed, and add a passcode if required.
4. If the form asks for a recipient’s email for an invitation, check it carefully. Give the passcode separately; it is not included in the invitation email.
5. Create the link only after checking these choices. Send it to the intended recipient and use the Sharing panel to revoke access when it is no longer needed.

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Choose what happens after Draft ready

The next-step panel offers two different outcomes. Open Compare options & see details when you want the fuller explanation.

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Accept and certify the digital copy

This option seals the draft as it stands. It does not add a sworn translator’s review.

1. Check the complete wording, selected language and document identity first. Finish all edits and wait for Saved.
2. Choose Accept & certify in Seal this draft.
3. Read the confirmation and the permanent-record explanation. Proceed only if this is the service you want.
4. If the automatic checks refuse sealing or the document requires sworn review, follow the explanation rather than trying to bypass it.
5. After a successful seal, keep the serial and use the available certificate/download controls.

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Send the draft for sworn review

Use this option when you need a sworn translator to review, correct and sign the translation.

1. Choose Send to a sworn translator in Get a sworn review.
2. Read the confirmation, current estimate and any quote or payment prompt. Confirm only after checking the details.
3. Follow progress in the document and your notifications. Respond if clarification or a better original is requested.
4. When the signed result is ready, inspect the final translation and download the certificate or bundle offered by the document.
5. Check that the serial, language pair and document details match before providing it to the recipient.

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Verify a serial or QR code

Certificate verification is public and does not require a sign-in.

1. Choose Verify a certificate, or scan the QR code printed on the certificate.
2. If entering a serial manually, copy it exactly and start verification.
3. Read the result, certificate type, language pair and signer information that are actually shown. Compare them with the document in front of you.
4. If the serial is not found, check for a typing error. If the record is revoked, invalid or does not match, contact support before relying on it.

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Check a certificate: step by step

You can check a certificate without uploading the document or creating an account. The verification result shows the record, not the document’s private contents.

1. Open mytranslates.com/v, or choose Verify a certificate in the site navigation.
2. For a printed certificate, open your phone camera, point it at the QR code and open the link. Check the website address before trusting the result.
3. For a manual check, find the certificate serial on the document. Type or paste the entire serial into Certificate serial, then select Check.
4. Compare the returned serial, source and target languages, issue date, certificate class and signer details with the copy you received. A digital machine seal must not be mistaken for a sworn translator’s signature.
5. Read the status and integrity checks. A successful check relates to the submitted translation record; it does not prove that the underlying original document is authentic.

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Understand the verification result

Read the words in the result, not just its colour. The action depends on the certificate class, current status and whether its integrity checks pass.

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Archive, restore or delete

Archiving helps organise your library. Deletion is a separate action and is not available for every document.

1. Open the document’s actions menu and choose Archive when offered.
2. Find archived documents using Archived in the library, and use the restore option when available.
3. If Delete is offered, read its confirmation carefully. Make sure you have saved anything you need before confirming.
4. If a record cannot be deleted because it has been sealed or retained, contact support about your concern rather than assuming archive removes the permanent record.

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Review charges, orders and notifications

Your account menu gives access to Billing & orders. The document’s own status remains the place to check its progress.

1. Open the account menu, then Billing & orders to inspect your balance and available charge/history information.
2. Use the top-up options shown if you need to add funds. Follow the payment provider or arrangement instructions displayed in your account.
3. Open an order or receipt when available and compare its document, amount and status with what you expected.
4. Check notifications for completed work or requests that need your attention. Open the linked document before taking an action.
5. If a charge or payment looks wrong, contact support with the order or receipt reference. Do not send card details or passwords.

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Change your profile and email language

Open My account to keep your name, contact details and preferences current.

1. Update your name and select Save.
2. Choose the preferred language in the profile’s language section and wait for the saved confirmation. Account emails use this preference; messages already delivered are not changed.
3. Update your phone number, profession, personal/business purpose and industry in Contact & work details, then save.
4. Use the site’s language buttons to change the interface. Use the theme control to switch light/dark appearance.
5. If you need developer access or want to apply as a translator, use the corresponding account option. These areas require their own approval and are outside the customer translation workflow.

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Manage passwords and signed-in devices

Use the Security page to review your account’s access and translation terms.

1. Read and accept the Translation terms when the app asks you to.
2. Under Signed-in devices, review the listed sessions. The current session is marked This device.
3. Sign out a session you no longer use, or choose Sign out everywhere else and confirm if you want to remove the other sessions.
4. Use the password section to set or change your password if it is available for your account. Complete any verification it requires.
5. If you want to close the account, use Request account deletion and read its explanation of retained records before continuing.

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Use Translate on a phone or with a keyboard

The same account and documents work across your devices.

1. On a phone, open the header menu for navigation. Use Take a photo in Add document when you want to capture a page.
2. Use Reading for a wider text area; use Paragraph for focused checking. Rotate your phone or move to a larger screen for detailed side-by-side work.
3. Look in your browser’s Downloads or your phone’s Files app after exporting. Allow downloads if the browser asks.
4. With a keyboard, use Tab and Shift+Tab to move between controls, Enter or Space to activate them, and Escape to close supported menus and dialogs.
5. Use Cmd+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows/Linux where the command palette is available to find navigation and common actions.

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Solve common problems

Start with the message shown on screen. The steps below address common situations without creating duplicate documents or payments.

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Get help or ask for document drafting

Support & Help is for questions about using the platform and problems with your documents.

1. Search the help library first. If you still need assistance, use the support form or ticket option shown.
2. Give the document title, order/reference if available, the exact error, and the action you were taking. Share a screenshot only after hiding unrelated personal information.
3. Return to the support conversation to read replies and provide any requested details.
4. If you need a document written rather than translated, choose Talk to us / Contact us. Explain the document you need, intended recipient, language and deadline, and ask about scope and price before proceeding.

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A quick glossary

These words appear throughout the translation workflow.