1. User Requirements:

Please add the functionality to Trados Studio (desktop software) to directly and mutually convert sdlxliff files, termbases (sdltb), and translation memories (sdltm) with Microsoft Excel files.

2. Background and Rationale:

The file formats associated with Trados Studio (desktop software)—namely sdlxliff, sdltb, and sdltm—are unstable and prone to issues. When problems arise, the entire file may become inaccessible for opening, editing, or copying. In contrast, Microsoft Excel files are highly stable and easy to modify.

3. Current Situation:

3.1 The third-party plugin "Glossary Converter" currently allows for quick mutual conversion between sdltb and Excel formats. However, Glossary Converter sometimes suffers from version instability, rendering it unusable. Moreover, it does not support mutual conversion to Excel format for large termbases (sdltb) containing hundreds of thousands of entries or translation memories (sdltm) with millions of segments.

3.2 The Trados plugin "Export to Excel" can quickly convert sdlxliff to Excel format, but it does not support converting Excel files back to sdlxliff format. Additionally, with the continuous updates to Trados Studio (desktop software), plugins in the Trados AppStore often encounter version incompatibility issues.

3.3 Although MultiTerm can convert Excel files to sdltb format, the process is complex, involves many steps, and is time-consuming, rendering it of little practical value.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations:

It is recommended that Trados Studio (desktop client) directly add the capability to quickly export sdlxliff files, termbases (sdltb), and translation memories (sdltm) to Microsoft Excel format, as well as to directly import Microsoft Excel files and convert them into sdlxliff, sdltb, and sdltm formats.