Wordfast Anywhere FAQ

GENERAL

Cannot log in to Wordfast Anywhere

Check the Cannot log in to Wordfast Anywhere section on the Start Guide.

How can I change my password

The steps to change the password are the same ones than when you forget it.

You will find the instructions on the Get your password back section on the Start Guide.

Wordfast Anywhere Manuals

Wordfast Anywhere have a couple of manuals

• Start Guide. Some basic information on how to start to use WFA.
• Wordfast Anywhere Manual. All the features detailed.

Why I get email notifications about my document or account going to be deleted (Termination of Service)

There are some reasons why you might get a notification about documents or account going to be deleted:

Accounts: If an account has not been accessed for six months, the account's owner will receive a notification that her/his account will be deleted in 20 days. To cancel the upcoming account termination, simply log once into your Wordfast Anywhere account. If no access is made to the account within 10 days, a second notification will be emailed. If no access is made within 10 days of the second notification, the account will be deleted, together with its content (documents, TMs, glossaries).

Documents: Documents that have not been accessed, edited, or used for more than 3 months will be deleted at the end of the 4th month, after two emailed warnings.

For more information check our Terms of use page.

Can I get help and support?

Sure, this are the different ways:

• First look on this FAQ page, on the Start Guide or in the Wordfast Anywhere Manual.
• If you have NOT logged, in click in the icon.
• If you have logged, please use the Support/Report button on Help tab.
• You can also Post at Wordfast_Anywhere@yahoogroups.com for the community help.

Technical support is only in English

DOCUMENT

How can I fix a document when download failed?

There are many complex reasons that make a download to fail.

Check first the error message. If it indicates a segment or a segment range, check it first carefully. If the segment indicated in the error message looks fine, the problem may be on a different segment.

Here are the most common causes of downloading problems:

Tag differences

How to detect it: The file does not download, the file downloads but some text is missing, the file downloads but styles are wrong.

Differences on the formatting tags (<1>, <2>) between source and target segment can make the file filter aligner have difficulties to build up the translated document.

Check there is no segments with tag difference using one of this options:

1. Click on Statistics button on File tab to get a report. Check if there are any segments with tag difference. Use Show Outline button on View tab to go straight to one segment.
2. Click on Find & Replace button on Edit tab. Go to Miscellaneous tab and run a Tag difference search. Segments with tag differences will be listed.

On the listed segments you must pay attention to:

1. There is no target tag missing that exists on source.
2. The target tag order is different from source order. For example [<1>text text<2>] on source but [<2>text text<1>] on target.
3. The target tag content is not identical with the source tag. You can see the content of the tag when the mouse is over it.

We do not recommend to use copy/paste or drag and drop to copy the tags as it can copy more than the eye can see and be problematic. It is better to use the the auto-suggest feature with tags (whenever you want to add a tag just type < and the list of tags from source will be proposed for selection) or the Copy Placeable on Translation tab.

Excess of re-segmentation

How to detect it: The file does not download and the error message contains error aligning segment # but segment # is fine. (Usually is error aligning segment 1)

A too much use of re-segmentation with the Shrink or Expand tools can make the file filter aligner have difficulties to build up the translated document because the segments from the original source file are too different from the re-segmented file.

A warning when the use of re-segmentation is over the 5% of the document is shown while translating to inform that it has been used in excess and might cause problems when downloading. Though depending on the number of segments of the document even a 1% can be problematic.

Segmentation problems when uploading a file can be improved by creating or completing the abbreviations list of your source language before starting translation. Click on Setup button on Wordfast Anywhere tab and got to Segmentation tab.

Download can be solved by uploading again the source file (a copy) and without any re-segmentation use the same TM to pre-translate the file. Complete the untranslated segments before downloading. Before uploading the copy of the file, it is good to make sure the TM is updated with the problematic file TUs (Update TM from doc).

Too many segments on Segment History

How to detect it: The file does not download and the error message contains error aligning segment # but segment # is fine. (Usually is error aligning segment 1)

When Segment history is used and there are too many segments saved in the history it might cause trouble when downloading the file due to the big amount of information to be processed.

Download can be solved by using : Delete history on Edit tab.

Excel File limitations

Excel files (XLS, XLSX) have some specific rules on the worksheet which the translated text must follow.

When working with Excel files (XLS, XLSX) check this restrictions when it comes to renaming a worksheet:

1. A worksheet name cannot be blank.
2. A worksheet name cannot be repeated. That means that each worksheet name must be different.
   The error message would be something like this: Error on segment 1. Problem aligning document. Segment id: XXX The same worksheet name already exists, where XXX would be the problematic segment that needs to be fixed.
3. A worksheet name cannot exceed 31 characters in length. That means worksheet name must be reduced to less than 31 characters.
   The error message would be something like this: Error on segment 1...->The translation of the Excel Sheet name(s) in Segment/s [XXX] exceed 31 characters, which is not allowed in Excel. Please reduce the text's length and start again., where XXX would be the problematic segment that needs to be fixed. You could found the number of characters of a segment at the bottom status bar next to the TM information.
4. On a worksheet name the following characters cannot be used \ / ? : * [ ] .That means these characters must be removed from that segment.
   The error message would be something like this: Error on segment 1...->The translation of the Excel Sheet name(s) in Segment/s [XXX] contains forbidden characters, which is not allowed in Excel. Check the name does not contain ?*:[]/\, where XXX would be the problematic segment that needs to be fixed.

Corrupted File

How to detect it: The file does not download, or just downloads a part of the file but no error is shown. (Usually on DOCX, XLSX and PPTX files)

WFA checks the file when it is uploaded to detect if it is corrupted to prevent it is uploaded. If the file manage to skip detection it will not download because the problem comes from the source file.

When the problem is coming from a corrupted source file. Here is a way to recover your translation with a new file:

1. Do not delete the file you are trying to download (corrupted-file) or you'll loose all the work.
2. Download the bilingual file of the document having problem (corrupted-file), using File > Download > Bilingual (+info).
3. On your local PC, open your original file(corrupted-file) and use "Save as" to make a copy with a different name and format (copy-file). For example if corrupted-file is a DOCX use "Save as>Word 97-2003" to make a DOC copy-file.
4. Upload this copy of the file (copy-file) to Wordfast Anywhere.
5. Try to download the new file (copy-file) immediately by clicking in Download button on File tab and choose Translated document/s. If download do not work, you need to review the file because there is some problem in it, and do again steps 4 and 5 for this file.
6. When the new file (copy-file) can be downloaded, you need to merge it with the previously saved bilingual file (step 2), using File > Merge bilingual (+info).
   1. Check Merge an existing document and click on the new file(copy-file) from the list to select it.
   2. Click on the Upload button and browse your local disk to find the bilingual file (step 2).
   3. Click on the Submit button to start the upload and merge, then wait the report window.
   4. The file will load in the editor and a report will be shown. Close the Merge dialog window.

Restore the document

If your case does not seem to fit in any of the previous cases, there is a way to restore the document. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Save the bilingual file (File > Download > Bilingual +info )
2. Upload a copy of the original file and try to download it to be sure the file is fine.
3. Merge the previously saved bilingual file with the newly uploaded copy of the original file (File > Merge bilingual +info)
4. Read the report and try to download.
5. Complete the untranslated segments.

Why do I get a zip file when downloading?

When downloading a file, there are some reasons why you can get a compressed to ZIP format (*.zip) file insted of the original source file extension:

• The size of the document is greater than 10 megabyte.
• The file name contains some special characters (for instance a space) that cannot be used on our server file system.
• You chose "Send file to email" or "Create file URL".
• You requested to download a PDF version of the file.

All this situations may create some havoc on our server file system or when attaching the file to be send by email. To prevent that, we use zip files as a container to be sure there will be no naming problem. We also keep the original name of the file inside the zip, so file name is not changed.

To open a zip file, here are some ways to do it. You can also use tools like WinRar or 7-zip.

Why do I get a txlf bilingual file instead of a txml bilingual file?

On September 2018 WFA updated the filters used to convert any document into a bilingual file. By default the bilingual file type used is TXLF.

In case you need to work with a TXML bilingual file type you can change this default setting. To do so, you need to go to Wordfast Anywhere tab > Setup button > Pandora's box #9

More information

Why do I get a bilingual file (txml, txlf, xlf, xliff, sdlxliff) when downloading a Translated document?

When using File tab > Download button > Translated document/s you'll get the translated version of the source document in the same file type.

That means if you uploaded a DOCX file, the translated file will be also a DOCX file.

If you uploaded a XLS file, the translated file will be also a XLS file.

If you uploaded a TXML file, the translated file will be also a TXML file.

If you uploaded a SDLXLIFF file, the translated file will be also a SDLXLIFF file.

And so on.

Txml, txlf, xlf, xliff and sdlxliff are bilingual files, so if you upload them the translated file will be of the same type because Wordfast Anywhere cannot convert them to the file type of the source document from where they where extracted.

Converting a bilingual file back to the original file type should be done with the tool which did the first conversion and with the original file as it will also be needed.

If I cannot download the translated document, is it possible to have at least the translated segments to copy/paste them?

Yes, you can download the file in 'Text only' format.

• Go to File tab
• Click on Download button
• Choose Unformatted text from the list, and click OK'
• Choose one of the downloading options and click OK

The text will be downloaded in a text file without formatting.

What shall I do with the red number inside a segment?

The red numbers are tags representing a formatting in the original document. Avoid removing them and try to put them properly in the target segment. This is a simple alternative to a fully WYSIWYG display of the document.

Can I upload and translate a pre-segmented document file (pre-segmented or pre-translated with Wordfast Classic)?

At the moment, it is only possible for TXML files. For all other files, it is not possible, Wordfast Anywhere accepts only cleaned documents. An alternative would be to clean up a copy of your segmented document in order to create a memory. Then, you can upload the cleaned document and the memory.

Can I download a Wordfast Classic-compatible bilingual document file?

This is possible for a MS-Word document (*.doc, *.docx).

• Go to File tab
• Click on Download button
• Choose Bilingual DOC original from the list, and click OK'
• Choose one of the downloading options and click OK

When I am about to download the file, a dialog box says that some non translated segments remain - how can we go back to them?

There are two ways to go to the non translated segments.

1. Use Outline.
   • Click on Show/Hide Outline button on View tab.
   • Translated segments are displayed with a green square and non translated ones with a grey square.
2. Use Find & Replace.
   • Click on Find & Replace button on Edit tab.
   • Go to Miscellaneous tab
   • Choose Untranslated and click on Find button.
   • Untranslated segments will be search and result will be displayed on a list. To view the list use the button.

Wordfast Anywhere cannot upload my MS-Office file, why?

Sometimes the original file can be in a corrupted state.

• Open the file and save it under a new name.
• Try also to save it under a newer version like from *.doc to *.docx.

How can I recover a document that has been accidentaly deleted?

There is no direct way to recover a deleted document. But there is a workaround:

• Upload again the source document
• Pre-translate it using the same TM that was used on the deleted cocument

How can I upload a PDF document?

PDF files can not be uploaded directly to WFA because they contains images of text, rather than actual text. But they can be converted into Word, which can be uploaded into WFA.

Just upload the PDF document (as any other document) and follow the instructions on the disclaimer which basically are:

1. Download a Word version of the file using the button at the bottom of the disclaimer.
2. Review it to be sure the conversion is fine.
3. Finally upload the word version to be translated.

Once the document has been translated you'll be able to download it as PDF using the download options.

PDF to Word conversion process may take some time (up to 10 minutes) depending on the size and content of the PDF, be patient.

PDF that can be edited, PDF that have any password protection or PDF that have some security restrictions in them cannot be converted because permissions are needed.

How do I use FireFox spellcheck for my language?

You need to install at least the dictionary of your language. See details in this video

Why I don't see all the document? What <Beginning of block> and <End of block> mean?

If the file is long, it is loaded in blocks. To fasten the application, a document may be partially loaded.

In that case, the document chunk is marked with 2 of the following tags:

• <Beginning of file>
• <Beginning of block>
• <End of block>
• <End of file>

A block is a chunk of document, not corresponding with a page or any existing subdivision.

When translating, the next sentences are added bit by bit to the initially loaded block of sentences. Each time a segment is modified, the document is saved on the server. So don't worry, if you cannot visualize all your document.

You can navigate through the document using buttons in View Tab and shortcuts.

TM

How can I change the TM language pair?

Wordfast Anywhere is TM and glossary centred.

You cannot change the language pair for a document, you have to change the TM and glossary which are being used on the document.

So, if you want to change the TM language pair, because you need a new pair or you want to change the pair that you set on your first login, you need to add a new TM with the new language pair you want to use (read bellow).

Once the new TM is added, you need to use this TM marking it as "Active" for the document.

How can I add a new Translation Memory?

Follow this link: Add a new TM

How can I get my Translation Memory?

• Go to the TM and Glossary dialog by
  1. If the document is opened, click on Setup button on TM & Glosaries tab.
  2. If the document is not opened, choose it from the Document Management list and click on TM & Glossary button on File tab.
• Once on the dialog, choose the TM you want to download and click on Download button.

Can I share a Translation Memory with my colleagues?

Yes, you can share a TM and a glossary over the world to chosen guests.

• Go to the TM and Glossary dialog by
  1. If the document is opened, click on Setup button on TM & Glosaries tab.
  2. If the document is not opened, choose it from the Document Management list and click on TM & Glossary button on File tab.
• Create or select a TM and an optional glossary.
• Click on the Share button.
• Click Add to open the Create a share dialog.
• Add the TM and optionally the glossary that you want to share and set its privilege.
• Add the email of your guest.
• Click on Save button. Guests will get an email notification and will find the TM on their TM list.

How can I join a Translation Memory shared by my colleague?

You will find the shared TMs on your list of TMs.

• Go to the TM and Glossary dialog by
  1. If the document is opened, click on Setup button on TM & Glosaries tab.
  2. If the document is not opened, choose it from the Document Management list and click on TM & Glossary button on File tab.

A shared TM will have an icon indicating it is shared, and passing the mouse over it will provide more information.

Also clicking on the Share button will open the TMs and Glossaries Shares dialog where mor information could be found on My shares from other users section.

Why do I have no match in my TM on repetitive phrases?

The repetitive phrase should represent at least 50% of the entire sentence. The TM is searching similarity on the entire sentence. The minimum fuzzy Threshold is 50% and the default value is 70%. You have 2 solutions to overcome that problem:

• Set the fuzzy Threshold to the minimum of 50% if you have big repetitive chunks of text.
• Use a glossary and add manually the terms and phrases in it when you encounter repetition.

There is no match on a similar sentence just following the translated one

The problem occurs because the search for the following segment is done while you are translating the current one. When you are in that case, just click on Force TM Search button on TMs & Glossaries tab.

TM Maintenance

Edit TM - Concordance

Edit TM - Download

Edit TM – Download using filtering

Edit TM – As a document

Reverse TM

Assemble TMs

GLOSSARY

How can I add a new Glossary?

Follow this link: Add a new Glossary

How can I add, edit or delete glossary entries?

• A glossary need to be opened in the workspace.

  Go to the TM and Glossary dialog by

  1. If the document is opened, click on Setup button on TM & Glosaries tab.
  2. If the document is not opened, choose it from the Document Management list and click on TM & Glossary button on File tab.
  3. Create or select a glossary in the glossary list, the glossary languages should be the same than the TM.
  4. Click on Save

• The glossary panel on the right should be opened. When a sentence contains a term of the glossary, it will be displayed there.

• Use the glossary dialog box to add a term when translating.

1. Click on Term Edition button on TM & Glosaries tab or Ctrl+Alt+T.
2. Fill the dialog and validate with OK, the term should appear in the Glossary panel.

• Edit or delete a term displayed in the glossary panel.

1. A sentence containing that term should be opened or you just create one.
2. Click on the term in the glossary panel to open the glossary dialog box.

• Use the glossary search window.

1. Click on Glossary Search button on TM & Glosaries tab or Ctrl+Alt+G.
2. An independent browser window will be opened (care popup blocker)
3. You can search and edit terms directly in that window.

Glossary Maintenance

Edit glossary – Glossary Search

Edit glossary - Download

Edit glossary – Add Term

Edit glossary – Glossary Panel

Reverse Glossary

Assemble Glossaries

Machine Translation and IATE Glossary

Follow this link: Set Machine Translation

USER INTERFACE

What are the supported browsers?

Wordfast Anywhere support Edge, Firefox, Safari, Chrome for recent versions. However, you can try any browser.

I cannot click on a top menu bar button. Why are some buttons on the top menu bar not available?

Some buttons will be available when more than one file is selected from the document list.

Some buttons will be available only when a document is opened.

Some buttons will NOT be available when a document is opened.

A shortcut does not work, can I change it?

Yes,you can change it.

1. Click on Setup button on Wordfast Anywhere tab and go to the Shortcuts tab.
2. Select the shortcut line and click on the upd link.
3. Set a new key combination and clikc on Update

However, you may have trouble with Opera (prevent many for its own usage).

When I click on Concordance Search or Glossary search, nothing happens!

Yes, it may happen if your browser popup blocker is activated. Add an exception for http://www.freetm.com

Why are there blinking colors in the status bar?

It means that there is a background process:

• The pink color indicates a communication with Anywhere server
• The yellow color indicates a communication with the Machine Translation server

You can work while the colors are displayed. However, if you scroll while a color is displayed, the red message busy will appear, and you will have to wait.

I have a missing button image or missing the Twitter "Follow @wordfast_freetm" button

This can come from the AdBlock or similar program extension in your browser. Please add the freetm.com domain to program's exception list.