Skip to main content

Translate Selected Text on Mac with OnText

· 2 min read
gityeop
gityeop
Creator of OnText

OnText gives you a fast translation workflow for selected text on Mac. Instead of copying text, opening a translation site, pasting, and submitting, you can select text and trigger a translation action from the OnText panel.

The default flow is: select text, press F2, then run the translate action.

Built-In Translation Flow​

OnText includes a default translate action so you can get started immediately. It opens translation for the selected text using the configured URL workflow.

This is useful for:

  • Reading documentation in another language.
  • Translating short research snippets.
  • Checking phrases while writing.
  • Moving quickly through multilingual web pages or notes.

Custom Translation URL​

You can also create your own URL action. A simple template looks like this:

https://translate.google.com/?text={text}

Use {text} where the selected text should be inserted. OnText handles URL encoding before opening the link.

When To Use Inline AI Instead​

Use translation actions when you want a quick translation page. Use Inline AI when you want a more controlled rewrite, tone change, summary, or in-place replacement.

For example:

Translate this to English and keep the tone natural.

Then use Command-R to replace the selected text, or Command-C to copy the response.

Next Steps​