Changing categories in MultiTerm termbases

Question

Last week, I created a really complex termbase definition. Now I changed my mind about a category, and I would like to remove it from the definition. I have not entered a single term in the termbase, and in the Termbank Manager it says 0 Terms, 0 Entries. Still I get an error message along the lines of “The termbank selected is not empty and cannot be changed as requested”. Any idea what I can do to manipulate the category?

And note: even if the termbank was not empty, I think MultTerm should allow deleting categories after showing an appropriate dialogue with a warning!

Thanks in advance!
Eva

Paul · Accepted Answer

Hi Eva, 
 
I just tried to do this and have no problem. With a new termbase definition and no terms added I have no problems editing the definition and changing the termbase structure. I also made sure I tried saving the termbase, closing MultiTerm and then reopening it and removed another category... also no problem. 
 
Maybe you can share a little more information? Maybe you can share the XDT and give us the steps to follow? 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Walter Blaser · Answer

Eva 
 
I don't know why you cannot change the definition although your TB is empty, but on your additional note, I can confirm that you cannot remove any fields or picklist values from a populated termbase. You may as well add fields or values, but you cannot remove any. This makes sense because MultiTerm would not know what to do with entries that contain the fields or values that you want to remove. 
 
The procedure to choose in such situations is to export the content of your existing termbase, create a new termbase based on the existing one, edit the defintion by removing the fields and values you want to get rid of and then reimport then entries into the new "restructured" termbase. 
Works fine and at the same time reorganizes your termbase:-) 
 
Walter

Paul · Answer

Hi Eva, 
 
I would be interested to see it if you are happy to share? If I can repro it's always good to know how these things happen. 
 
I agree with Walter too though... start simple. But if you really prefer the other approach the easiest way to work is to use the Glossary Converter. Kick it out to Excel and you'll easily see what you are using and what you are not, then just delete the columns you don't need and convert it back again. Really simple. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Luis Lopes · Answer

If you have access to it (as part of Studio 2021 or Trados Live) have a look at Trados Live Terminology in the browser and integrated with Studio. 
 One of the USPs of the new Terminology solution is adressing this gap, allowing Termbase structure changes on a current termbase which was a technical limitation of MultiTerm we adressed with Trados Live Terminology Luis Lopes, RWS Product Management

Trados Studio > 3. MultiTerm

Changing categories in MultiTerm termbases