Supported translation file types
GoTranscript works with a wide range of file formats to accommodate both text and audio translation needs. Whether you’re dealing with a Word document, a PDF, or an MP3 file, here’s a quick overview of our supported formats.
1. Text File Formats
Below is a table of our most common text file types:
| File Type | Extension(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Word | .doc, .docx | Standard Microsoft Word documents with formatting and track changes. |
| Portable Document Format; often used for official or scanned content. | ||
| Plain Text | .txt | Basic text with no formatting; ideal for scripts or simple text. |
| Rich Text | .rtf | Limited formatting support; compatible with most word processors. |
| Other | .odt, .xls/.xlsx | OpenDocument Text, Excel spreadsheets, and more. |
Note: For scanned PDFs or images containing text, we use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract text for translation. If your file type isn’t listed, contact support for possible accommodations.
2. Audio File Formats
We support a variety of audio formats for transcription and translation. Here’s a handy reference table:
| File Type | Extension(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | .mp3 | Compressed audio; widely used for interviews, podcasts, etc. |
| WAV | .wav | Uncompressed high-quality audio; ideal when clarity is a priority. |
| AAC / M4A | .aac, .m4a | Commonly used on modern devices; offers smaller sizes than WAV. |
| FLAC | .flac | Lossless compression preserving audio quality with reduced file size. |
| OGG / WMA | .ogg, .wma | Less common but still supported; suitable for diverse recording sources. |
Tip: For video files (MP4, MOV, AVI), we can extract the audio track and then proceed with both transcription and translation.
3. Text vs. Audio Translation
- Text Translation
- We directly translate written documents such as Word or PDF files.
- The system calculates cost based on word count.
- Audio Translation
- First, we transcribe the spoken content into text. Then, we translate that text.
- Pricing is determined by file duration (minutes of audio).
4. Additional Considerations
- Large Files: For very large or long-format recordings, compress the file (if possible) or use a cloud sharing link.
- Formatting & Layout: Complex document layouts (tables, graphics) may require some minor post-translation tweaks.
- Clarity in Audio: Noisy or overlapping speech can extend turnaround time or incur extra costs if more editing is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to provide a transcript for audio translation?
No. Our process includes transcription as the first step if you submit an audio file for translation.
Can I upload multiple files simultaneously?
Yes. Simply select them all at once, or drag and drop in batches. The system sums word counts or total audio duration for you.
Are scanned or image-based PDFs accepted for text translation?
We apply OCR to convert image text into editable form. However, if the document is unclear or handwritten, some manual review may be necessary.
How do I request audio translation for a video file?
Upload the video (e.g., .mp4), and we’ll extract the audio track. From there, we’ll transcribe and translate just as with audio-only files.