How can I import an XLIFF from memoQ and export it for reupload into memoQ using Trados?

Question

Hi all, 
 We are a small LSP that uses a memoQ Server with XTRF integration. Many of our freelance translators use SDL Trados, so we make bilingual file formats available to them (RTF and XLIFF) with project TM and TB in TMX and CSV formats. The two systems work really well until a translator submits their translated file exported from Trados. There seems to be a problem with the way many of them save or complete the final translated file as memoQ does not recognize it as an updated bilingual file and adds it as a new source document to the project. I have a suspicion that instead of completing the project (or exporting the translated file), they are generating a new XLIFF. Obviously a new XLIFF file will have different document and segment IDs instead of retaining the original, and so memoQ cannot recognise it. 
 As I am unfamiliar with Trados, I am wondering if someone can explain a step-by-step method of how to import a plain XLIFF into Trados from memoQ and then export it again for uploading into memoQ after translation. Screenshots would be helpful as I would like to pass this information on to our translators. I have been searching the community and knowledge base and tutorials, but most articles don't specifically deal with memoQ compatibility (and memoQ's doesn't deal with Trados compatibility). 
 Any help would be appreciated&mdash;by us and our translators.

Claudio Nasso · Answer

Hi Jason Esch , 
 I regularly receive, translate, and generate back *.mqxlz MemoQ files using SDL Studio 2017 without any problem. 
 First of all, I directly Import the original received *.mqxlz (as a single file, or as a project) in SDL Studio without unzipping it using the following File Type Filter options:

And these settings have never generated any issue. 
 In fact, an *.mqxlz file is a zipped file (or a sort of project) containing at least these files: 
 
 which must be present when generating back the *.mqxlz file after having translated it with SDL Studio. 
 
 This should assure that you will be able to correctly open again the *.mqxlz file received from your translators. 
 The same applies to other MemoQ files if you decided not to create and send to the translator an *.mqxlz file (i.e. *.mqxlf or *.mqxliff files). 
 The important is, to import your files in SDL Studio in their original format and save back the target translated file using the same format: 
 
 I hope this may help you. 
 Regards, 
 Claudio

Jason Esch · Answer

Thank you so much, Claudio. This is extremely helpful! The files that XTRF retrieves from memoQ are plain XLIFF files, but, as you say, the principle is the same. Thanks for the screenshots too. That's very helpful.

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How can I import an XLIFF from memoQ and export it for reupload into memoQ using Trados?