Hi Esther Park ,

Esther Park said:

I cannot generate target file, create a return package, or even reopen it

What happens when you try to reopen it? Do you get any message error that you can share? The more information you give, more probabilities we can help you.

Thank you for your reply!! I am freaking out. I have attached screenshots of what I am seeing. The file with a problem is the one starting with "001" that shows 100% complete. The "Jevtana" file at the bottom has already been translated in this same project and was just fine with generating target files. The 001 file does nothing. I have not restarted because I am terrified of losing the work. Work which HAS to still be there because that 100% is still showing. Right??

 and everything 

Hi Esther Park ,

I get this error message from time to time. It’s safe to restart Trados Studio.

Let us know if doing that solves the issue. If it doesn’t, click on the disk icon and post here the error message:

This error can typically be solved by restarting the PC. Before restarting the PC go to the folder containing the sdlxliff file in question, copy it and paste in an extra folder created there. To find out the file location close the error message, leave the file selected as in your screenshot and press this button:

Ok I reopened Trados and the project is still there. I opened the file as if I wanted to edit some more. It opened and all my translated segments are there! However, when I go to "Generate target file", I now get a message "Source file not found".  As a precautionary measure, I saved a bilingual Word file (this generated fine, and looks good, so obviously the source file is there!)

Ok I reopened Trados and the project is still there. I opened the file as if I wanted to edit some more. It opened and all my translated segments are there! However, when I go to "Generate target file", I now get a message "Source file not found".  As a precautionary measure, I saved a bilingual Word file (this generated fine, and looks good, so obviously the source file is there!)

 Esther Park 

This message means, that the source file from which your translatable file has been created is not present on your machine. You can safely ignore this message and create a returning package. The project owner will be able to create the target file with no problem, as the source file is present on his system. Saving a bilingual Word file does nothing to do with the source file. Simplifying a bit more complicated matter, the bilingual Word file is a copy of sdlxliff in Word format and is intended for a review task.

When receiving a translation package you are not expected to create and deliver target files, this is NOT your task. So do not bother with this error and simply deliver the returning package.

This said, the error is quite easy to fix, IF you have the source file on your PC. If this is the case, let us know and you'll get a description how to solve this error then.

This is the error screen I am getting (I can't screenshot multiple piled dialogue boxes for some reason but the error message is "Source file not found". 

Esther Park 

As already stated, this shouldn't be your problem at all, as you shouldn't be expected to generate the target.

When you finish your work, create a returning package and send it to your vendor. This should be the end of your task.

Thank you so much for your help, Jerzy. I am so relieved. I was able to generate the return package and sent it off (without opening it first! because I was afraid (probably irrationally) that it would reopen on my screen with no translated target!) I am still very confused by Trados and particularly WHY the files save in odd places. The only reason I generated a bilingual Word file was because I could in that moment. Wanted to have it just in case everything was lost. After only a couple of months, and not a ton of projects requiring Trados, I am still so fearful of it. I'd really like to get more comfortable. I'm trying...

Esther Park 

You cannot open your own return package, I suppose this will even give you an error.

Trados Studio does not store files in weird places, this is you, who does it. It is always a decision of the user, where files are stored. As you use the Starter version, I suppose you work only with packages. When receiving a package, you have the choice where to put the files.

It is advisable, to make yourself clear about your system for storing files. Having a system for this is the best solution. First of all, make sure you are storing your work files NOT ON DRIVE C:! Use a different drive in your PC, like d: or similar. If you don't have an extra drive, use the very simple option for partitioning your drive, available in Windows. Having said this, I would suggest the following system:

d:\name customer 1\
d:\name customer 2\
d:\name customer 3\
…

In Studio, when receiving a package, you can browse for the folder corresponding with the customer and put all the files there. For this select the option "Append project name to project folder":

However, you can also select "Used default Studio project location". This is suboptimal from my point of view, as this would put ALL files from ALL customer in only ONE location, but this is only my humble point of view. If you are fine having all files in one location, this could be the easiest solution for you. In this case all files would go to Documents\Studio 2022\Projects. As Windows allows you to place the folder Documents not only on c:\, but also to move it for example to d:\ in a very easy way, this can really be optimal solution for you.

Please note: DO NOT try to store any Studio files in the Cloud. This will bring you even more trouble.