Translating InDesign Files (.idml)

If you need to translate content from an Adobe InDesign document, we can help with .idml files. Here’s what you need to know:

What is .idml?

.idml stands for InDesign Markup Language and is specifically designed for translating the content within InDesign files. These files can be processed and translated through the Tolq platform.

Understanding InDesign File Formats

• .indd Files: These are the native files created by Adobe InDesign, containing both layout information and content. Unfortunately, we cannot process full .indd files directly.
• .idml Files: These are exported from .indd files using the InDesign Markup Language format. This XML-based structure allows us to extract text for translation while maintaining some layout information. We can only work with .idml format.

How to Prepare Your File before uploading it to the Tolq Platform

1. Open Your .indd File
   • Start by opening your original Adobe InDesign file (.indd) in Adobe InDesign.
2. Export as .idml
   • To export, please choose InDesign Markup (IDML) from the file type options.
3. Create a PDF Version for Context (optional step) 
   • Open the same .indd file and export as PDF. 
   • Upload the PDF to a cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, etc).
   • Ensure the link is shareable (anyone with the link can access).
   • Add the link to your translation request under the "Advanced Options" section by pasting it into the "Context URL" field.
   • Please note - this is an optional step, but it does assist the translators to have the full document as context.

Alternatively, you can send us the InDesign files before placing your order to ensure we can share the files with the translators so they have access to the necessary context.

How to order a Translation Request with .idml file

1. Upload Your Files: Place your Translation Request like any other order on our platform.
2. Add Context: We recommend adding a link to your PDF version in the "Context URL" field under "Advanced Options" so translators have visual context of your document's layout.
3. Once you've placed the order, our team will handle the translation process as usual.
4. Once complete, you'll receive a translated version of your document in an updated `.idml format ready for use in Adobe InDesign.

Important Notes

• No formatting changes occur during translation. 
• Additional formatting may need to be done (by your design team) after translation to ensure proper layout and appearance.

Should you have any further inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact the Tolq Customer Service Team at customerservice@tolq.com. We're here to assist you in selecting the option that best meets your needs and to provide any additional support you may require.