As a frequent tidier-up of translated InDesign files, I’d favour the IDML and CAT (computer-aided translation) tool route in preference to copy+paste every time.
If you’re outsourcing the translation to a language service provider (aka translation agency), let them deal with choosing the right tools, but if you’re getting translations done in-house by local business units, there are also free open source CAT tools which will do the job. Have a search for “choosing a CAT tool”, maybe on the translators’ website proz.com.
And make sure your source is “clean”, e.g.
– avoid mid-sentence returns/tabs/multiple spaces and use Text Wrap properly instead
– tabular data works better in CAT tools by using proper tables instead of tabs between columns
– leave plenty of room for expansion of the target text (running longer than the source by 20-25% in some cases)
– avoid text embedded in linked graphics
(I’m sure there’s a whole training course that could be made on the subject!)
Good luck,
Chris.
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