How to open XLIFF files generated with Multitrans Prism ?

Question

I'm using Multitrans Prism which generates .xlf or .xliff files. Receiving an .sdlxilff file from a colleague using Trados, I've changed the extension to standard .xliff and could open the file in the Mulitrans Xliff editor . 
 After saving the .xliff file in Multitrans, it could not be opened any more with Trados Studio. It was also impossible after having changed again the extension back to .sdlxliff. 
 
 What could be the solution for using SDL Trados .sdlxliff files in Multitrans, edit them with Multitrans and use them again with SDL Trados Studio ?

Paul · Accepted Answer

Hello Aude, 
 
The only way to get your Word file is in MultiTrans Prism. If you open a Word file in Studio you get an SDLXLIFF and if you save target you get a Word file. If you open a Multitrans Prism XLF file in Studio you get an SDLXLIFF and if you save target you get a MultiTrans Prism XLIF. 
 
That's the way it works! So if you give them the XLF they should have no problem getting you an XLF file back. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Walter Blaser · Answer

Aude 
 
SDLXLIFF and standard XLIFF (.XLF) are not compatible, so you can't simply change the extension because the contents do not have the same structure. 
 If you want to work on standard XLIFF files in Studio, you need to open them as such in Studio. Studio can also handle standard XLIFF files (using the filetype XLIFF, version 1.2 for the time being, but XLIFF 2.0 is coming up soon). 
 
This means that your translator who uses Studio needs to open the XLIFF file, translate it and return it to you (as .XLF again and not the SDLXLIFF). You should then be able to open this file again in Prism. 
 
Walter

Trados Studio > 1. Trados Studio

How to open XLIFF files generated with Multitrans Prism ?