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Word form fields vs. Trados
Thread poster: Bertold Kiss
Bertold Kiss
Bertold Kiss  Identity Verified
Hungary
Local time: 13:23
English to Hungarian
+ ...
May 5, 2006

In my new project I have 100+ source files, all exported from a content management system into word .doc format.

All valuable source texts have been placed into "form fields" (those fields with the grayed background) and now I can't open these as segments, neither in my Word, nor in TagEditor.

(Software: Office 2003 Pro, SDL Trados 2006)

I would appreciate any tipps & tricks that enable / facilitate the translation of MS Word form fields using Trados.
 
Ralf Lemster
Ralf Lemster  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 13:23
English to German
+ ...
Moving the topic... May 5, 2006

...to SDL Trados Support - please use this forum to post topics related to SDL and/or Trados.
 
Sylvain Leray
Sylvain Leray  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:23
Member (2003)
German to French
Tag Editor or Bookmark Handler May 5, 2006

Hi Bertold,

[edit: Well, I'm sorry, I had not seen that you had already tried with TagEditor, so my post will be of no help. ]

There are actually two different solutions.

For me, the most convenient and secure one is to translate this file with TagEditor. You don't have to worry about fields, TOC or anything else... it is really a piece of cake. Once finished, simply save the ttx file as targ... See more
Hi Bertold,

[edit: Well, I'm sorry, I had not seen that you had already tried with TagEditor, so my post will be of no help. ]

There are actually two different solutions.

For me, the most convenient and secure one is to translate this file with TagEditor. You don't have to worry about fields, TOC or anything else... it is really a piece of cake. Once finished, simply save the ttx file as target and you will get your Word file with all fields remained intact.

The second solution is to use the Trados Bookmark Handler and translate the file directly in Word. The Bookmark Handler is not 100% reliable, but it should do the trick. However, translating in Word is IMHO quite slowlier and cumbersome as in TagEditor.

HTH,
Sylvain




[Edited at 2006-05-05 08:23] ▲ Collapse
 
Vito Smolej
Vito Smolej
Germany
Local time: 13:23
Member (2004)
English to Slovenian
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
The one time I had to deal with this kind of fields May 5, 2006

... I had to resort to Word (VBA). In my case the list of expressions was not that long, so after cleaning the translation I went and did the translation by hand (File/Properties/Adust or something of this sort). I also tried to automate that using VBA, but there I bit on granite (and deadlines).

smo
 
Bertold Kiss
Bertold Kiss  Identity Verified
Hungary
Local time: 13:23
English to Hungarian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Solution found May 6, 2006

I have found a solution:

Step 1. Save the file in pure HTML-format from Word.

Step 2. Edit/translate the HTML file in TagEditor. HTML keeps even the hidden form field settings (in tags) and lets one focus on the scope of translation rather than struggling with Word or using more complex workarounds.

Step 3. After cleaning up open the translated HTML file in Word and save in doc format.

Tipps:

Tip 1. Before bulk conversion of a whol... See more
I have found a solution:

Step 1. Save the file in pure HTML-format from Word.

Step 2. Edit/translate the HTML file in TagEditor. HTML keeps even the hidden form field settings (in tags) and lets one focus on the scope of translation rather than struggling with Word or using more complex workarounds.

Step 3. After cleaning up open the translated HTML file in Word and save in doc format.

Tipps:

Tip 1. Before bulk conversion of a whole project (Step 1 & 3) test whole the process on a single file, including delivery of the test file to the customer after Step 3 for a final check.

Tipp 2. Feel free to use your favourite tool for bulk conversion - but again, test it always on a single file rather than raising later issues and concerns.

Tipp 3. Macros are friends for mass processing files for translations. If you are technically oriented, I encourage you to develop simple VBA Macros for automation of "boring" consecutive tasks like opening all .doc files in a folder and saving each in HTML and vice versa, mass-unprotecting or protecting of files or bulk editing of other document parameters. There are good tutorials and samples throughout the internet, but the internal VBA help is useful as well. ▲ Collapse
 


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Word form fields vs. Trados







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