Get a free Google Cloud Translation key

Step by step, turn on Google Cloud Translation (500,000 characters free a month), make an API key and paste it into Plainstamp.

Google Cloud Translation translates up to 500,000 characters a month free. It takes about 10 minutes. Google's screens change from time to time, so a name may be slightly different from what's written here.

1. Make a Google Cloud project#

  1. Go to console.cloud.google.com and sign in with a Google account.

  2. At the top, open the project picker and click New project. Name it something like Plainstamp translation and click Create. Make sure the new project is selected.

2. Turn on billing#

Google needs a billing account for this service, even for the free amount.

  1. In the menu, go to Billing and link a billing account to the project (or create one with a card).

  2. Plainstamp stops at 500,000 characters each month, so you aren't charged. For extra peace of mind, set a budget alert in Billing, Budgets & alerts.

3. Turn on the Cloud Translation API#

  1. In the menu, go to APIs & Services, then Library.

  2. Search for Cloud Translation API, open it and click Enable.

4. Make an API key#

  1. Go to APIs & Services, then Credentials.

  2. Click Create credentials, then API key. Copy the key it shows.

  3. Click Edit API key (or open the key from the list) and set:

    • Application restrictions: None. Plainstamp's server makes the requests, so a website restriction would block them.

    • API restrictions: Restrict key, and tick only Cloud Translation API.

  4. Click Save.

5. Paste it into Plainstamp#

  1. In Plainstamp, go to Settings, then Language & translation.

  2. Under Translation for this workspace, choose Do it yourself · free.

  3. Translation service: Google Cloud Translation.

  4. Paste the key into API key and click Test and turn on.

If you see "The Cloud Translation API isn't turned on", go back to step 3, or check billing is linked to this project. Changes can take a few minutes to take effect.

Next: set your team's languages.