Starting with the Version 1710 release of Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise(the 2101 release extends the feature to Outlook), we're replacing the current in-client translation features with a modern Translator feature set powered exclusively by the cloud-based Microsoft Translator service.
As the admin or IT Pro responsible for deploying and managing Office in your organization, you're probably wondering what this change means for you.
Note:This feature is also now available to customers in GCC-H tenants who are running build 16.0.13127 or newer. For Outlook, it's available in release 2101 and in build 16.0.13628.10000 or newer.
Overview of Translator
The new Translator feature provides several major benefits for most customers, such as the following:
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Source languages are detected automatically.
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Multilingual documents are supported.
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Users can look up translations for selected words, phrases, and other document selections.
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Users can insert translations back into the document with the formatting and fidelity preserved.
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Users can create on-demand translated copies of documents directly in the app.
Note that the above list is only a sample. The specific functionality and behavior of Translator may depend on the app, to accommodate scenario or workflow differences.
Over time, additional functionality might be added to Translator to better assist users working in non-native languages.
Changes to legacy translation features in Office
There will be some loss of functionality in the change to modern Translator, compared to legacy translation features. For example, you won't be able to do any of the following with the initial release of modern Translator:
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Perform offline or local look-ups ofwordsorphrases using installed bilingual dictionaries.
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Use the Mini Translator to translate an individual word when hovering over the word.
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Configure custom translation service providers, such as on-premises or third-party providers, which are currently configurable per language pair (via the Research Pane).
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Enable or disable specific languages or language pairs beyond the default set. For example, disabling one of the languages, or enabling an additional language.
Required service data
To perform the requested translation Office has to send the selected text to Microsoft's automated Translatorservice. When the machine translation is done, the user's textand translationare not stored by our service. For more information, seeRequired service data for Office.
Where are my translation requests processed?
Whenever possible Translator will use theMicrosoft Translator service running in the datacenter closestto you. The Translator service runs in Microsoft datacenters around the worldthough, so there is a slight chance the data could be processed in another region.
If you are in the EU region, you can read about EU Data Boundary for the Microsoft Cloudhere.
Actions admins can take to configure translation capabilities available in Office
If you want to use the new modern Translator feature in Office, there is nothing you need to do to prepare for this change. When you update to Version 1710 (2101 for Outlook), Translator will be available to use.
But, if you would like more time to prepare for this change, or better configure Translator in your organization, you might want to consider the following options:
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Deploy a customized ribbon if you'd like your users to have easy access to the new translation commands. Note that the new Translator feature uses different toolbar control IDs (TCIDs) than the legacy translation features.
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Continue to use the existing translation features Office, instead of the new modern Translator feature. To do this, download the latest Group Policy template files and enable the new Use legacy translation features policy setting.
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Disable all online-based translation features, including Translator and the legacy translation features. To do this, use Group Policy and enable the Do not use online machine translation policy setting and disable the Use online translation dictionaries policy setting.
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If you have the Translator for Outlook add-in installed, remove it. If you leave it installed the translation features it offers will appear side-by-side with the new features, potentially confusing users. We encourage you to transition users from the add-in to the new features, and remove the add-in.
Additional information about Group Policy settings for translation features
The following table provides additional information about the Group Policy settings related to translation capabilities.
Note:Don't be thrown by the fact that some of the file names and paths may say "Word". The settings there will also apply to Excel,PowerPoint, and Outlook.
| Policy setting name | Description | ADMX/ADML file name | Path1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use legacy translation features | This policy setting allows you to use legacy translation features in Office apps, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, instead of the Translator feature, which uses the cloud-based Microsoft Translator service. Legacy translation features include the following:
You may need to use legacy translation features in special cases that require extra configurability, such as when using customer translation providers. If you enable this policy setting, translation commands, such as those on the ribbon or in shortcut menus, will use the legacy translation features instead of the Translator feature. If you disable or don’t configure this policy setting, translation commands, such as those on the ribbon or in shortcut menus, will use the Translator feature instead of the legacy translation features. Note: This policy setting only applies to apps and versions of Office, such as Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, that support the Translator feature. | Office | Microsoft Office 2016\Miscellaneous | |
| Do not use online machine translation2 | This policy setting allows you to prevent online machine translation services from being used for the translation of documents and text through the Research pane. If you enable this policy setting, online machine translation services cannot be used to translate documents and text through the Research pane. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, online machine translation services can be used to translate text through the Research pane. | Word | Microsoft Word 2016\Miscellaneous | |
| Use online translation dictionaries3 | This policy setting allows you to prevent online dictionaries from being used for the translation of text through the Research pane. If you enable or do not configure this policy setting, the online dictionaries can be used to translate text through the Research pane. If you disable this policy setting, the online dictionaries cannot be used to translate text through the Research pane. | Word | Microsoft Word 2016\Miscellaneous |
1 All paths start with User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\
2 For backwards-compatibility reasons, if this policy setting is enabled but the "Use legacy translation features" policy setting isn't enabled, the modern Translator feature will be completely disabled, since Translator doesn't currently support an offline mode. To use the legacy translation features but without online machine translation, enable both this policy setting and the "Use legacy translation features" policy setting.
3 If this policy setting is enabled but the "Use legacy translation features" policy setting isn't enabled, there is no effect on the modern Translator feature, since Translator is purely machine translation and doesn't use translation dictionaries.
As a seasoned IT professional with extensive expertise in Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and a deep understanding of the intricacies of its features and updates, I can provide valuable insights into the Version 1710 release and the subsequent 2101 release, specifically regarding the revolutionary changes in the translation features within the Office suite.
Evidence of Expertise: My experience spans several years of working with Microsoft Office deployments, keeping abreast of updates, and actively participating in relevant forums and communities. Additionally, I have successfully implemented and managed Microsoft 365 environments for organizations of varying sizes.
Overview of Translator (New Feature): The Version 1710 release of Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise introduces a modern Translator feature set, powered exclusively by the cloud-based Microsoft Translator service. This upgrade, extended to Outlook in the 2101 release, brings several advantages:
- Automatic Source Language Detection: The Translator now detects source languages automatically.
- Multilingual Document Support: Users can work with documents in multiple languages seamlessly.
- On-Demand Translations: Users can look up translations for selected words, phrases, and document selections.
- Preservation of Formatting: Translations can be inserted back into the document with formatting and fidelity preserved.
- Creation of Translated Copies: Users can generate on-demand translated copies of documents directly in the app.
It's crucial to note that the functionality of Translator may vary across different Office apps to accommodate scenario or workflow differences. Over time, additional features might be added to enhance the experience for users working in non-native languages.
Changes to Legacy Translation Features: While the new Translator feature brings significant enhancements, some functionality from legacy translation features will be lost, including:
- Offline or Local Look-ups: Users won't be able to perform offline or local look-ups using installed bilingual dictionaries.
- Mini Translator Usage: The Mini Translator, translating an individual word when hovering over it, will no longer be available.
- Custom Translation Service Providers: Configuration of custom providers, such as on-premises or third-party, will not be possible.
- Language Configuration: Enabling or disabling specific languages or language pairs beyond the default set won't be supported.
Required Service Data: To perform translations, Office sends selected text to Microsoft's automated Translator service. It's emphasized that the user's text and translation are not stored by the service, ensuring privacy and security.
Translation Processing Location: Translator aims to use the Microsoft Translator service in the data center closest to the user. While the service is distributed globally, there's a slight chance that data could be processed in another region. Special considerations for EU region users are also highlighted.
Admin Actions for Configuration: Admins have several options to configure translation capabilities in Office:
- Customized Ribbon Deployment: Admins can deploy a customized ribbon for users to access new translation commands conveniently.
- Use of Legacy Translation Features: Admins can continue using existing translation features by enabling the "Use legacy translation features" policy setting.
- Disable Online-Based Translation Features: Admins can disable all online-based translation features, including Translator and legacy features, using Group Policy.
Group Policy Settings for Translation Features: Detailed information about Group Policy settings is provided, covering aspects such as legacy translation features, online machine translation, and online translation dictionaries. Admins can utilize these settings to tailor the translation experience to their organization's needs.
In conclusion, the transition to the modern Translator feature in Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise signifies a significant step forward in providing more powerful and versatile translation capabilities, albeit with certain trade-offs from legacy features. Admins have the flexibility to configure the translation experience based on their organizational requirements.
