2 columns CSV file for translation with a character limitation on 1 of them

Question

Hi, 
 
 We have a special request from our client to translate a CSV file to many languages. 
 The CSV structure is like an Excel file, it contains many columns with 2 columns for translation (C+D). The translation should be in columns (E+F) and column H contains the character limitation for column D only. 
 At a start, I copied the C&D content to columns E&F and hide all (except the char limit column)... However, the CSV file type doesn't respect hidden columns like the Excel file. So for Analysis purposes, I saved the CSV as XLSX. 
 Here is an image of the file for your impression:

I read the thread about the Excel character limitations: https://community.sdl.com/product-groups/translationproductivity/f/90/t/2992 
 But it doesn't help in this case. 
 
 I need your advice on how to create the project with the settings of the char limit. 
 
 Looking forward to your prompt reply. 
 
 Thanks 
 Fouad

Paul · Answer

Hello Yael Reinhold , 
 
Here's three ways to tackle this... probably more but CSV would be none of them. 
 
1. Put the source into one column and the target into one column and use the bilingual excel filetype. This supports a source column, a target column and a length limitation column. 
2. Do the translation in two files. First tackle the first column and then the second, finally copy paste the content of the target files into one file again. Bilingual Excel again. 
3. Export the file to XML and create a custom filetype for the file so you can handle all the content in one go and use the content of the length limitation for QA checks. 
 
But I think the first or second will be better for you. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

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2 columns CSV file for translation with a character limitation on 1 of them