SDLX / SDLTM (SDL Trados formats)
SDL Trados Studio (now RWS Trados) uses proprietary file formats for its translation workflow. SDLTM is the translation memory database format, and SDLXLIFF is the bilingual working file format used during active translation.
SDLXLIFF is based on XLIFF but with SDL-specific extensions. It stores both the source and in-progress target text, along with segment status, match percentages, and comments. When a project is delivered, translators typically return SDLXLIFF files to project managers who then merge them back into the final document.
SDLTM files store the accumulated translation memory for a project or client. They are specific to Trados and cannot be opened by other tools without converting to TMX first.
Key concepts
- SDLXLIFF = bilingual working file (XLIFF-based with SDL extensions)
- SDLTM = SDL-specific translation memory database, not portable without TMX export
- Trados is the most widely used CAT tool in professional translation agencies
How Vernacia uses this
Vernacia does not use SDLXLIFF as a working format. If you need to integrate with a Trados-based agency workflow, export the Vernacia output as DOCX/PPTX and import into Trados for review.
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