Quick Start Guide

This guide will get you translating in under 5 minutes.

If you’re not sure where to begin: import a file, translate a few segments, then export back to your CAT tool.

Step 1: Start Supervertaler

Launch the application by running Supervertaler.exe (Windows) or python Supervertaler.py (from source).

Note

If you want to use AI translation, set up your API keys first: Setting Up API Keys.

Step 2: Import a Document

1. Go to Project → Import
2. Choose your file type:
   • DOCX - Standard Word documents
   • Text File - Plain text (one segment per line)
   • memoQ Bilingual - memoQ XLIFF or bilingual DOCX
   • Trados Package - SDLPPX files
   • Phrase Bilingual - Memsource bilingual DOCX
   • CafeTran Bilingual - CafeTran external view
3. Select source and target languages when prompted
4. Your document appears in the translation grid

Note

If you’re working with memoQ/Trados/Phrase/CafeTran, always choose the matching import option so tags and statuses round-trip correctly.

Step 3: Navigate the Grid

The translation grid has 5 columns:

Column	Description
#	Segment number
Type	Segment type (¶, heading, list item, …)
Source	Original text (read-only)
Target	Your translation (editable)
Status	Translation status indicator

Basic Navigation

Action	Shortcut
Next segment	Enter or ↓ (at end of cell)
Previous segment	↑ (at start of cell)
Go to segment	Ctrl+G

Most navigation is designed to feel memoQ-like: arrow keys move within a cell, and at the top/bottom line they can jump between segments.

Step 4: Translate a Segment

Manual Translation

1. Click in the Target cell
2. Type your translation
3. Confirm the segment (confirmed statuses matter when exporting back to CAT tools)

AI Translation

1. Select a segment
2. Use the Translate action (single segment; Ctrl+T) or Batch Translate (multiple segments)
3. Review and edit if needed
4. Confirm the segment when you’re happy

Note

If AI translation isn’t available yet, double-check provider setup in Setting Up API Keys.

Step 5: Save Your Project

1. Press Ctrl+S or go to Project → Save Project
2. Choose a location and filename
3. Projects are saved as .svproj files

Step 6: Export Your Translation

1. Go to Project → Export
2. Choose the appropriate format:
   • DOCX - Translated Word document
   • Bilingual Table - Side-by-side source/target
   • Return Package - For CAT tool workflows

Caution

For CAT tool workflows, always export the matching return format (for example, SDLRPX for Trados return packages) to preserve tags and statuses.

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What’s Next?

Recommended next steps

• Setting Up API Keys – enable AI translation
• Installation – verify dependencies and optional components
• CAT Tool Integration – memoQ/Trados/Phrase/CafeTran workflows
• Keyboard Shortcuts – faster editing and navigation

Set up AI Translation	Configure API keys →
Learn Keyboard Shortcuts	View all shortcuts →
Work with CAT Tools	CAT tool integration →