Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Translation

BabelDOC for Zotero

by Veiluna · github.com/Veiluna/babeldoc-for-zotero

Translates a PDF into Simplified Chinese with layout and formulas kept, or makes a bilingual side-by-side PDF.

BabelDOC for Zotero has Atlas grade C (not recommended) because it installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Translation
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.2 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
In useAn estimate of how many copies of Zotero have it: Zotero downloads each new version once for every copy that has the plugin, so we count the downloads of its most-downloaded recent release. Rounded. Plugins that update from outside GitHub count low.
84
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
319
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
10
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
9
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
C
Atlas gradeNot recommended
because it installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version
Applies to v0.8.2, released 3 Nov 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code; not yet checked against the published sourceThe developer uploaded the release file from the Veiluna account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify1 address in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Translation (1)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)
Powerful capabilitiesInstalls and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version, and 3 moreHighHigh concern: a serious problem. One high finding makes the grade C.
High concern (1)
Installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version
Medium concern (1)
Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (2)
Stores API keys or passwordsWorks with files on your computer
Where we found it
Installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed versioncontent/modules/installer.js · line 676

BabelDOC, bitstring: installs the newest version each time, at startup, without asking

var installArgs = ["pip", "install", "--reinstall-package", "BabelDOC", "--python", paths.python, "BabelDOC==" + BABELDOC_VERSION, "bitstring<5"];
Launches programs on your computercontent/modules/installer.js · line 402
var Subprocess = ChromeUtils.importESModule("resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs").Subprocess;
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 3 Nov 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in Chinese and EnglishInterface: English and Chinese
No further detail for this area yet.
We report what we found in the code. Open any area for the evidence.How we gradeReport a problem

What it does

Written by AI from the README

Translates a PDF into Simplified Chinese with layout and formulas kept, or makes a bilingual side-by-side PDF. Uses BabelDOC and your own OpenAI-compatible API. Windows only; it downloads its own Python environment on first run.

Ordinary translation breaks the formatting of scientific PDFs. This puts the Chinese text back in place and adds the result as a new attachment, leaving the original untouched.

What you'll need

Detected automatically

We haven't detected any setup requirements. That isn't the same as none: check the developer's README.

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 1 address in 1 group.

Translation (1)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)

Other plugins that do this

Matched on what they do

For the same job, work with Zotero 10 and graded B or better. Closest match first.

  • B
    pdf2zh-desktop Connector

    Connects Zotero to the pdf2zh-desktop translation app.

    Matches “translate pdf keep formulas” · 1,737 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Can use a local model
  • B
    RetainPDF

    Translates a paper's PDF from the right-click menu while keeping formulas and layout, then attaches translated-only and bilingual PDFs to the item.

    Matches “translate pdf keep layout” · 96 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10, 11 beta
Compare all 3 side by side
How we pick these

By how closely what they do matches this plugin, using descriptions and the phrases people search with. Copies and forks of this plugin are listed under Forks and copies instead. No plugin pays to appear here.

Forks and copies

No forks listed.

The developer's response

The developer hasn't responded. Developers can reply here, and their reply sits next to our findings.I'm the developer

Ratings and reviews

What people who use it say. This is separate from the grade, which is what the code does, and never changes it.

No ratings yet.

Write a review
Your rating of BabelDOC for Zotero v0.8.2

Your review is public, under the name you give, and published with the directory's data under CC BY 4.0. Links are removed. We never store your IP address: a scrambled code made from it is kept for 30 days to catch fake reviews. Every review is checked before it's published; how fake ones are spotted isn't published, so it can't be gamed.

Install BabelDOC for Zotero
CNot recommended
We don't recommend itIt installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version.
Better-graded plugins for the same jobA+PDF TranslateA+Zotero 标题翻译A+Dual Title
Read what we found