How to translate in PowerPoint

If you need to present your slideshow in a different language, where do you start? We’ll show you the easiest way to translate PowerPoint presentations using a couple of different methods. We also have suggestions to make the process simpler for setting up multiple language presentations.

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Use Plus AI to translate in PowerPoint

One of the best ways to translate in PowerPoint is using the Plus AI add-in. You can easily select certain text or translate an entire slide in just seconds.

1. Go to the Home tab and click Plus AI in the ribbon.
2. When the side panel opens, choose Edit with AI > Rewrite text.

3. To translate specific content, select the text and do one of the following:some text
   • Type “Translate to [language]” in the Instructions box and choose Rewrite selected text.
   • Click Translate, make your selection in the Language box, and choose Rewrite selected text.

4. To translate the entire slide, don’t select any content and do one of the following:some text
   • Type “Translate to [language]” in the Instructions box and choose Rewrite current slide.
   • Click Translate, make your selection in the Language box, and choose Rewrite current slide.

To translate the whole slideshow, just follow the instructions above to translate the entire slide and continue the same process for each slide in the presentation.

Create PowerPoints in any language using Plus AI

What’s nice about using Plus AI to translate in PowerPoint is that the add-in can do even more to help you with your slideshows.

First, you can choose the language you want to use for yourself when creating new presentations. Pick from most any language, enter a prompt or upload a file, and you’re set!

You can also make a presentation using a prompt and instruct Plus AI to create the slides using a specific language for the content.

Use the Translate feature in PowerPoint

Another option for translations is to use the Translate feature in PowerPoint. This is available to Microsoft 365 subscribers and in newer versions of Office 2021 and Office 2019. You must also be connected to the internet to use Translate. Visit the Microsoft Support page for more information or to check your PowerPoint version.

To use Translate in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Review tab and select Translate in the Language section of the ribbon to display the side panel.
2. You’ll see Auto-detect chosen by default but can select the originating language in the drop-down box if needed.

3. If you don’t have the text you want to translate already selected, go ahead and do so. You’ll see it appear in the sidebar. Alternatively, you can enter text into the From box in the side panel.

4. Choose the destination language and you’ll see the translated text in the To box.

5. Click Insert to enter the text on your slide.

6. Use the same steps to translate additional content on your slide.

While the Translate feature in PowerPoint is convenient, it does have limitations that you won’t find with Plus AI’s translation feature. As described earlier, you can translate an entire slide without having to take the time to select the content or multiple portions of text.

Suggestion for translations in PowerPoint

Here are some suggestions to minimize the work of creating and managing multiple PowerPoint slideshow files in different languages.

Create a custom show

In PowerPoint, you can set up custom slideshows that include slides from the original presentation. With this option, you can have a duplicate slideshow in another language and then use a link to open the language-specific slideshow at the start of or during your presentation.

Duplicate the slides and then (as described above) translate them. Go to Slide Show, select Custom Slide Show > Custom Shows. Choose New and follow the prompts to add the translated slides.

You can then hide the translated slides in the main presentation and insert a link to the translated custom show wherever you please.

Use dual language slides

If you present a slideshow to an audience that requires a mix of languages when viewing at the same time, you can add content in each language on a single slide. Consider using columns to separate the content for easier viewing and translate only the necessary portions.

Conclusion

With customers and coworkers located around the world, you may have to translate PowerPoint presentations regularly. You can save time by creating slideshows in the language you need right off the bat using Plus AI. And for those existing presentations, translate your current content quickly and easily with Plus AI for PowerPoint.

FAQs

How do I translate subtitles in PowerPoint?

When you turn on subtitles in PowerPoint, you can choose the language for them. Go to the Slide Show tab, check the box for Always Use Subtitles, and then open the Subtitle Settings menu beneath. Move to Subtitle Language and pick the one you want to use.

Can you translate on Google Slides?

Yes, you can use translation in Google Slides, and you have a few different options. Check out our guide for how to translate Google Slides to see the available tools and how to use each one.

How do I translate an entire PowerPoint?

At this time, the Translate feature in PowerPoint only works on selected text. To translate your whole presentation, use Plus AI to translate each entire slide. Type “Translate to [language]” in the Instructions box, choose Rewrite current slide, and follow the same process until you’ve translated the whole slideshow.