Google Docs’ spreadsheet includes a Translate function that lets you translate all the words you type on the fly.
The Google Sheets spreadsheet tool, integrated into Google’s online office suite, hides unsuspected functions. The latest allows you to use Google Translate as a formula, directly in the cells of the spreadsheet, enough to allow an on-the-fly translation as fast as it is efficient.
Those who already master the use of a spreadsheet will have no trouble using it. However, if you are not comfortable with spreadsheets, here are the steps on how to generate your machine translation table.
1. Open a new spreadsheet
Meeting on Google sheets to open a new, blank worksheet. Depending on the number of languages you want to use in your table, reserve one column per idiom.
In our case, we want to be able to translate from French to English and fill in the French words that we want to translate.
2. Use the Google Translate formula
Go to the first box next to the first word you want to translate. To initiate a formula in the spreadsheet, type on the “=” key on the keyboard.
To use the Google Translate function, it is necessary to call it. After the = sign, just type GOOGLETRANSLATE. The function should be automatically suggested. A click on it will suffice to integrate it directly into the cell.
3. Define the parameters of the formula
To make the formula work, it is essential to indicate to it the parameters to be taken into account, namely, the original text, the source language, and the target language into which the text will be translated. The GOOGLETRANSLATE formula is structured as follows:
GOOGLETRANSLATE (text ; [langue_source] ; [langue_cible])
Here we want to translate the text in the box to the left of the formula. After = GOOGLETRANSLATE (, click on the box to translate to integrate it into the formula.
Then add a semicolon followed by the source language code in quotes. Add a semicolon again and enter the target language code in quotes. You will find the codes of all the languages available on Google Translate from the dedicated page.
End your formula by closing the parenthesis, and validate by pressing the Enter key on the keyboard. The word should automatically be translated.
4. Automate the translation
If your list of words to translate grows, you will not need to redo the entire formula. When a formula is applied for a row, it is possible to apply it automatically for all the rows that follow.
To automatically translate the other words in your list, go to the cell in which the formula was entered. On the active cell, you will notice the presence of a small square.
Hold the click on it, and drag the cursor down. All boxes automatically display the translation.
If you have applied the formula to a part of the spreadsheet where no data is inserted, the mention #VALUE! is displayed, indicating that no data to translate is detected in the box above.
All you have to do is add a new word in the source language column to see its translation automatically displayed.