Cross-file repetitions are not working, why?

I've been working on a project with two files, which consists of about 50% cross-file repetitions. I started from the second file in the project, but when I went back to the first and started working on it, it wasn't filling in any of the cross-file repetitions. I thought with cross-file repetitions, it didn't matter which file you started with, was I wrong, and if so is there anything I can do about it now?

If I'm not wrong, does someone know what the problem might be and how I can resolve it?

  • Hi 

    There are at least two possibilities here.

    Firstly, if you opened the files together as a 'virtual merge' i.e. as if they are one sdlxliff file, visible consecutively under one translation window tab, do you have the following menu item selected via File>Options?

    Trados Studio options menu with Auto-propagation section highlighted, showing 'First segment in the document' selected in the Starting Position dropdown.

    The default setting of this dropdown is 'from the next segment'. If you haven't changed that as I have above then it will only auto-propagate repetitions AFTER the segment you've confirmed.

    Secondly, if you opened the files separately, even at the same time but under 2 translation window tabs, then autopropagation of cross-file repetitions aren't possible. You have to have them open so they are visible consecutively all under the same tab.

    I hope one of these answers helps!

    All the best,

    Alison

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    [edited by: Trados AI at 1:58 PM (GMT 0) on 28 Feb 2024]
  • Hi Alison,

    I'm not entirely certain how to do a 'virtual merge' of files, I didn't change anything, just opened them as they appeared in the folder (i.e. as two separate files), so that will be the problem. I also checked the highlighted tab, and it was indeed set to "from the next segment". I've changed that now, but I assume it's too late for this project and there's nothing to be done.

    Thanks for the information and the help.

    Sahar
  • Hi 

    There is something you can do. You can create a new translation memory in Translation memory View, right-click on it in the left hand section and select 'import' then navigate to the translated file, select it via Add files > Open. 

    Then use it to pretranslate the untranslated file. To do this, select the file in the Files View and click on Batch Tasks on the top toolbar or on the right-click menu, then select 'Pre-translate files'. Here, the next step depends on which version of Studio you have but either straight away or at the 'Settings' step, go up the menus to 'Translation memory', click 'Use...' and navigate to the new TM (translation memory) that you created and click 'Add'. The rest of the steps give you the chance to select how you wish the file to be pretranslated. This depends on whether it has already been pretranslated and thus has content you may wish to overwrite.

    Untick the usual translation memory while you run this pretranslate.

    For future reference, to open more than one file at once, highlight them all in your Files view then click 'Open for translation' in either the Home toolbar or in the right-click dropdown. They will open one above the other and behave as if they are one big sdlxliff. Very useful.

    I've given you fairly basic instructions above. Feel free to ask for further details!

    All the best

    Alison

  • Thank you so much, that's very helpful!
  • I'm alway glad to help, Sahar!
    All the best,
    Ali