"Unable to find the specified file" error when trying to load a local termbase to Trados Studio 2024

Question

Hello, 
 I was working in a project with a termbase created and stored in a shared folder. It worked all fine until I decided to update the termbase. 
 Since the termbase has been created from an XLSX glossary, I just created a new SDLTB from that XLSX file through the standalone Glossary Converter app in the same shared folder stated above. 
 When I tried to use this newly created SDLTB in my project, I got an "Unable to find the specified file" error. Since I am aware Trados has some problems dealing with termbases stored in shared folders, I moved the SDLTB to a local folder (under my C:\Users\[MyUserName]\Documents\ folder). 
 To my surprise, I still get the same "Unable to find the specified file" error. I tried repairing Trados installation, but the result is the same. 
 I am using Trados Studio 2024 - 18.0.2.3255 on a Windows 10 Pro laptop (64 bits). 
 Could anyone help with this? 
 Kind regards, 
 Manuel

Manuel Rubio Máñez · Accepted Answer

Hi, 
 Thank you Paul for your help. 
 Thanks to the help of Alina Lazar, the support agent that assisted me, the solution was something as simple as renaming the termbase. 
 The reason why this error happened is unknown. However, I will take this renaming workaround into account in case I have any other issue with SDLTBs in the future! 
 I will leave the solution here so that, if anyone ever has the same problem as me (again, hopefully not!), they can find this workaround and fix it. 
 Thanks to all the people who dropped by here and tried to help! 
 Kind regards, 
 Manuel

Paul · Answer

Manuel Rubio Máñez 
 I know you seem to have discussed the OneDrive thing already, but I do think you should validate what you're doing very carefully and don't assume that your 'local' is local just because it's on your computer. Check the actual path to your 'local'. You can get a good explanation just by dropping your error stack into ChatGPT. For example... and the powershell script idea came from AI as well, and if you can use powershell it might be interesting to have it just as a quick check because it's not always obvious. 
 =========================================================== 
 This error: 
 Unable to find the specified file.
System.IO.FileNotFoundException
Source: Sdl.TranslationStudio.Terminology
 
 suggests that Trados Studio was attempting to access a file&mdash;most likely a termbase or terminology provider file&mdash;but it could not be found at the expected location. 
 Why OneDrive might be the culprit 
 If the file (e.g., a .sdltb termbase) is stored in a OneDrive-synchronised folder , a few common OneDrive behaviours can cause this error: 
 
 1. Files on Demand (Cloud-Only Files) 
 OneDrive may mark some files as "online-only" to save disk space. These are visible in File Explorer but not actually present on disk until opened.

If Trados tries to load a .sdltb file that OneDrive has marked as "cloud-only", it will not be able to access the physical file and will throw a FileNotFoundException .

2. Path Confusion due to Syncing 
 Sometimes the expected path might have changed:

If the file was originally on C:\Users\Manuel\OneDrive\... and OneDrive desynchronised or changed folder structure (e.g., after a reinstall or re-login), the path may now be invalid, even though the file still "exists" in your OneDrive cloud account.

3. Permissions or Locking 
 OneDrive may also occasionally lock or delay availability of files during syncing operations, meaning Trados might try to access the file before it is fully available. 
 
 Recommendation 
 To confirm and fix:

Locate the missing termbase file manually &ndash; Check if it's marked as "Available when online only" in File Explorer.

Right-click and choose "Always keep on this device" &ndash; This will force OneDrive to download it locally.

Check the actual file path in Trados &ndash; Go to Project Settings > Termbases and ensure the termbase path is valid.

Avoid placing working files (especially termbases) in OneDrive &ndash; Instead, work from a local directory and back up to OneDrive separately if needed.

Would you like help writing a PowerShell script to verify OneDrive status of specific files?

Paul · Answer

Manuel Rubio Máñez 
 ok - in that case before we engage support can you do a reset. That often cleans out all sorts of "unresolvable" issues. 
 To do this just close Trados Studio and then delete these folders: 
 %appdata%\Trados\Trados Studio\Studio18\ 
 %appdata%\Trados\Trados Studio\18\ 
 You will lose your plugins, and also your settings, but your projects and other resources will remain untouched. Putting the plugins back is trivial via the integrated appstore. 
 If you can't find these folders then you need to unhide your hidden files/folders: 
 www.howtogeek.com/.../ 
 Then restart Trados Studio and see if that helped.

Paul · Answer

Manuel Rubio Máñez We will be pleased to help you with this problem so have logged a support case on your behalf. We do prioritise customers who have a support contract so please keep in mind it could take up to 48 hours, especially over a weekend, but rest assured we will contact you as soon as we can. You will be contacted at the email address used for this Community. Support Case Id : CS0009798.

Paul Filkin | RWS Group

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"Unable to find the specified file" error when trying to load a local termbase to Trados Studio 2024

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