Failed to save target content: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. Excel file will not export

Question

I have a very large Excel file (xlsx) that will not export from Trados. It is more than 5000 strings. I get the following message: Failed to save target content: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. I get the same error on the machine on which the document was created (Studio 2014) and also another machine (Studio 2011 - I opened the XLIFF directly). I have tried everything I can think of to get this to export and am not having any luck. The xliff opens fine in Trados and the strings are all there but it refuses to export. Any help you may be able to offer would be very greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and I greatly appreciate any help or advice you can offer. Don. 
 331

Paul · Answer

Hi Don, 
 
I took a quick look at your files as you emailed them to as well this morning. I have the same problem, and I can't save target even if I just open the excel file and try to save it without any translations at all. So this would lead to the following action. 
 
1. Split the Excel file in half 
2. Try to save both halves to see which one won't save 
3. Split the one that won't save and repeat 2. 
4. Keep doing this until you find the problematic part of the file 
5. Remove the problem part and pretranslate the whole file without that bit 
6. Save target, then manually add in the problem part 
 
I would tackle this for you but I have to go out this morning. If you have not managed this by the time I get back I can have a go later today. But the problem does seem to be something in your source file that Studio doesn't like. I also tested this in Studio 2015 so it seems to be something new. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Paul · Answer

Hi Don, 
 
I didn't hear from you so I have just been through your file. I managed to get the target file out by removing the contents of one cell in the source and then running this new source through Studio again. I put the original Japanese back into that cell and emailed you the target so all you have to do is translate that one cell by hand. 
 
I didn't try to narrow it down any further than that yet but this should help you finish the task. 
 
Regards 
 
Paul

Reino Havbrandt · Answer

Hi! 
I had the same problem with xlsx not saving as target. (Windows 10, Studio 2017 withour SR1) My workaround was to save the source files as Excel 97, xls, and then retranslate. That worked fine. If the Excel is 1:1 segment=cell, the it is also possible to cut the translation clumn from Studio and paste it into Excel. Unfortunately my files were not 1:1.

Trados Studio > 1. Trados Studio

Failed to save target content: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. >> Excel file will not export