How to Auto-Translate Text Using Google Translate on a Google Sheet

You can translate text content using Google Translate on a Google Sheet by formating cells with columns set up for different languages.

Use these instructions for text that appears on a document, email, chart, etc.

Formula

To set it up in the cell where the translated text should appear, use this formula:    =GOOGLETRANSLATE($A2,"EN",$B$1)

In this case, here is what it means:

The $ signs will keep the value constant.

A2 refers to the cell in column A, row 2 which will show the original English text.

"EN" is English.

B refers to column B, and 1 refers to row 1, which will show the target language that the English will be translated to when it is typed into cell B1.

Example Translation

This example will have English be the original language and Japanese as the target language.

To use this particular sheet "Level 1 Auto Translations" go to:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16Rmbpjw-XUyoeByb6ocuGvFvCu7_mOdIKP-R3GjsvFw/edit#gid=0

Different Rows

Each row will have a slightly different formula. Type the formula in the cell where the translation should appear. The formula for row 4 will be:

=GOOGLETRANSLATE($A4,"EN",$B$1)

This formula directs the text in cell A4 (in English) to be translated into the target language (Japanese) that appears in cell B1. The translated text will appear in cell B4.

Language Code

When labelling the target language column, be sure to use the 2-character language code.

Look up the language codes here:

https://www.labnol.org/code/19899-google-translate-languages

Copy/Paste

Copy:

When you are ready copy the translated text so it can be moved to the place it will be stored or used, go to the cell with the translated text. Click once. (Clicking twice will bring up the formula, which you don't want.) The text will not appear to be highlighted. Use command c to copy.

Paste:

Go to the place where you want to paste the translation. To paste, use command shift v. This will remove the formatting and formula so you will only be pasting the translated text.