How to open an .xlf file in Studio 2014

Question

I am admittedly at a beginner level as a PM. I have Studio 2014, and a translator sent me a file in .xlf format, when we request all bilingual files be in .sdlxliff format. I know I should be able to open it in Trados, but when I try to, the file is not even recognized as a file that could be opened in Trados. Can someone please give me instructions aimed at a beginner? 
 
 thanks!

Václav Čermák · Accepted Answer

In my case the problem with opening XLF file and exporting translation back into the XLF got solved by renaming the Project Templates folder (c:\Users\[USERNAME]\Documents\Studio 2014\Project Templates\) so Studio had to recreate that Project Template folder. Then magically my Studio opened the XLF file. Do the renaming with Studio closed. Upon start the recreation of the folder happens. 
 And thanks to Paul Filkin for guiding me through the Studio mysteries!

Jerzy Czopik · Answer

A XLF file should be opened in Studio with no problem, however it wonders me quite much, why you got this format instead of the requested SDLXLIFF.
I you can't open the XLF, it may not be a valid XLF file. There is really quite little chance to find it out without seeing the file. So if you wish, send the XLF to me at jerzy (at) czopik dot com for checking.
And by all means I simply would request the translator to provide what was ordered, namely the SDLXLIFF file.

Paul · Answer

Unknown said: I mean real solution, no answers like "it should work" or "get SDLXLIFF". Right now it doesn't work in Studio 2014. 
 Hello V&aacute;clav, 
 Perhaps you can share the real problem. What happens when you do this, why do you say it doesn't work? 
 Regards 
 Paul

Paul · Answer

Hello Václav, 
 
Sometimes things are not what they seem, or a simple change in the settings resolves a valid problem. Can I see one of these files? You can email it pfilkin@sdl.com if it is possible? 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Paul · Answer

No general description. But when you open it the file is n ot recognised. So obvious things would be to look at the extension of the file in case it's slightly different; or look at the contents of the file with a text editor... would not be the first time I've seen files with one extension that are acttually something else altogether. Who knows... but one thing is for sure. Studio can and does handle XLF files so the source of your issue has to be related to the files you are specifically handling. 
 
Regards

Paul · Answer

Maybe you can anonymise the text? So just open the file in a text editor, remove everything apart from the header, footer and a couple of segments. Then change anything that would be considered private. See if that also fails in the same way and if it does send me that instead? Quite a simple exercise.

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How to open an .xlf file in Studio 2014