> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://evidano.gitbook.io/ailyze-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://evidano.gitbook.io/ailyze-docs/troubleshooting/translation-issues.md).

# Translation Issues

Fixes for problems translating files, and how to resolve them.

This page helps you fix problems that come up when you translate files.

## "My PDF, XLIFF, or SRT won't translate with my language"

These formats only work with **Best Accuracy** language pairs, so choosing a **Good Accuracy** language leaves them stuck.

1. Pick a **Best Accuracy** language for both source and target.
2. Or convert the PDF to DOCX on your computer first, then translate.
3. The line under the languages names the files that don't fit ("… is not supported for the selected language"); remove them or pick another language. **Create Project** stays greyed out until you do.

## "I can't find my language"

The language list is long and split into two accuracy tiers, so your language may be in a tier you didn't check.

1. Type the language name into the **search** box in the language dropdown.
2. Look in both **Best Accuracy** and **Good Accuracy**: each language appears in only one of them.

For the full list, see [Supported languages](/ailyze-docs/reference/supported-languages.md).

## "My source language isn't detected"

Translation does not auto-detect the language, so you set both languages yourself. (Starting from a transcript with **Translate** fills in the source language for you.)

1. Under **Source language**, choose the language your file is in.
2. Under **Target language**, choose the language you want. The source language is greyed out in this list.

## "Create Project stays greyed out"

The button waits for a price quote and for every setting it needs.

1. Wait while it reads **Calculating price…**.
2. If "Could not calculate the translation price. Please try again." appears, reload the page and select the files again.
3. Check that a source and a target language are chosen and that no red line names an unsupported or oversized file.

## "The project is taking a while / there's no progress bar"

Translation runs in the background without a live percentage, so a wait with no bar is normal.

1. Watch the **Status** move from **In Progress** to **Completed**.
2. Wait for the **email** you get when it's done — only **Completed** projects will open.

## "I was charged more than I expected"

Translation is charged per character, and every document is billed as if it had at least a minimum number of characters, so a short document still costs the minimum. Your account's free characters are used first.

1. Read the yellow quote above the languages before you submit: it gives the characters in your files, any document billed at the minimum, the free characters deducted, and the charge.
2. Check the amount on **Create Project (USD …)** and in the **Confirm charge** dialog.
3. If your wallet is short, the **Insufficient Balance** dialog offers a top-up for the amount you need.

For the rate, see [Plans, Limits & Credits](/ailyze-docs/reference/plans-limits-and-credits.md).

## "Where's my translated file?"

Translated files are ready only once the project shows **Completed**, and they keep the original format.

1. Click the row: a project with one file downloads it straight away.
2. For a project with several files, use the download icon on each row, or tick files and click **Download Selected** for a ZIP.
3. Note there is no in-app preview; download the file to read it.

## "Terms or brand names translated wrong"

The translator doesn't know your preferred wording unless you tell it, so specific terms can come out wrong.

1. Open the **Optional Instructions** accordion.
2. Under **Custom dictionary**, map each original term to the translation you want (**Add another term** for more rows).
3. Set a **Formality** level if the tone is off.
4. Run the translation again.

## "The screen says 'Analysis Starting' or the project is named 'New Project'"

The success screen may show wording like "Analysis Starting" or a default project name, but the project is still translating.

1. Ignore the wording and wait for the **email**.
2. Open the project once its **Status** reads **Completed**.

## Next steps

To analyze translated content, open the project detail page and use the **Analyze** button (DOCX or PDF goes to document analysis; XLSX or CSV goes to spreadsheet analysis).

* [Analyze multilingual data](/ailyze-docs/common-research-workflows/analyze-multilingual-data.md)
* [Translate files](/ailyze-docs/prepare-research-data/translate-files.md)