Supported File Formats
We handle virtually any file format you can throw at us. From standard documents to complex design files, we've got you covered.
Format pitfalls we engineer around
Translation isn't just text — every format has structural rules. Break them, and you ship a broken build or a mangled brochure.
Formatting that breaks on export
Tables, footnotes, headers, and DTP layouts mangled by naive copy-paste. We extract translatable text without disturbing structure, then re-flow on import.
Code, tags, and placeholders
XML, JSON, .resx, .properties — every format has its own syntax for variables and inline tags. Touch the wrong character and the build fails.
Multimedia & timed text
Subtitle timing, audio sync, SCORM packaging — translation has to respect frame rates, character limits, and player constraints.
Same format in, same format out
Editable, structured, tag-aware.
We accept the working file — not a flattened export — so we keep your structure, styles, and inline code intact.
- 01Editable formats.docx · .xlsx · .pptx · .idml · .ai · .psd · .fm
- 02Structured strings.json · .xml · .yaml · .resx · .properties · .po · .xliff
- 03Timed text.srt · .vtt · .scc · scripts for VO & dubbing
Same file, translated & clean.
Drop the deliverable straight into your repo, your CMS, your DTP queue — no conversion step required.
- 01Layout preservedTables, footnotes, headers, masters intact
- 02Tags & placeholders verifiedVariables, ICU, plurals, HTML entities validated
- 03Visual QA passSide-by-side review against source, then sign-off
From raw file to delivery-ready file
Every file moves through the same five stations — analyze, extract, translate, rebuild, QA.
File analysis
We analyze your files to determine the best approach for translation while preserving formatting.
Text extraction
Translatable text is extracted using appropriate tools while maintaining document structure.
Translation
Professional translators work on your content using industry-leading CAT tools.
File reconstruction
Translated text is placed back into the original format, with DTP adjustments as needed.
Layout QA & delivery
Side-by-side visual QA against the source, validation of tags and placeholders, then delivery in the original format.
Every format we work with — by category
Link Translations has the expertise and technology to handle a wide variety of file formats. Our translation management system and CAT tools are compatible with all major document types, ensuring that your translations maintain the original formatting and layout.
Documents & desktop publishing
Editable office files and design layouts — translated in place, returned in the same format with layout retained.
- Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)Word
- Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx)PowerPoint
- Adobe InDesign (.indd, .idml)InDesign
- Adobe Illustrator (.ai)Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop (.psd)Photoshop
- Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)PDF · OCR
- Adobe FrameMaker (.fm)FrameMaker
Software & web strings
Resource files, markup, and structured data — translated with tags, placeholders, and pluralization preserved.
- HTML/XHTMLHTML
- XMLXML
- JSONJSON
- YAMLYAML
- PHPPHP
- ASP/ASP.NETASP.NET
- JSPJSP
- Resource files (.resx, .properties).resx · .properties
Multimedia & e-learning
Subtitles, voice-over scripts, and learning packages — timed, synced, and tested in the player.
- Subtitle files (SRT, VTT, SCC)SRT · VTT · SCC
- Video files (for subtitling)For subtitling
- Audio files (for transcription)Transcription
- Flash (.fla, .swf)Flash
- E-learning formats (SCORM)SCORM · xAPI
If you don't see your format listed, please contact us – we likely support it or can find a solution.
01My format isn’t in the list — can you still handle it?
Almost certainly yes. Send us a sample file and we’ll confirm support, filters, and turnaround in the same business day.
02Will the translated file look exactly like the source?
For most files, yes. We translate in place using format-aware tools so structure is preserved.
03How do you protect tags, variables, and placeholders?
We lock placeholders, ICU plurals, HTML entities, and inline tags so translators cannot accidentally edit them.
04Can you work with scanned PDFs or image-only files?
Yes. We run OCR, translate extracted text, and rebuild layout when needed.
05Do you handle subtitles and timed text?
Yes. We handle .srt, .vtt, .scc, .ttml, and broadcast-grade caption files.
Send the files. We will map the cleanest path.
Project quotes return within the hour. Supported file requests are checked by format, editable source, layout needs, and delivery package before work begins.