Opening an .mdb termbase in Multiterm

Question

As I try to open any of the glossaries created in Transit NXT and saved as .mdb files with SDL Multiterm, a question pops up: 
 This termbase has been created with an older version of MultiTerm and needs to be updated. This can take several minutes. 
 Continue opening termbases? 
 As I click on Yes, 
 an Error message pops up, saying: 
 There was a problem opening the termbase at C:\Users\User\Documents\SDL\SDL MultiTerm\Termbases\...mdb. 
 Check that this is a valid termbase and that you have permission to access it. 
 Continue opening termbase? 
 As I click on Yes, nothing happens. 
 I have worked in Transit NXT for several years and I have created several valuable glossaries in it before I switched to Studio 2017 last year. 
 Please help: How can I open them in Multiterm/Trados, or convert them to a format that can be used in Studio 2017?

Paul Filkin · Answer

Hi Nina Matetić Pelikan 
 
Perhaps this is a Windows issue? 
 
 gateway.sdl.com/.../communityknowledge

Former Member · Answer

Try opening directly the .mdb file in Access. Then save it (or convert it) to a .accdb file (Access 2007 and beyond). Alternatively, and perhaps, this may be the easiest solution, in the file name just change the extension name. For instance, change from yourTermbase.mdb to yourTermbase.accdb, or better yet, yourTermbase.sdltb. At any rate, if you want my advice, try and move your work to SDL Trados Studio and then use SDL MultiTerm Desktop (included). The latter, in my view, (though not perfect) the most practical and useful terminology management system in the world of CAT tools.

Paul Filkin · Answer

Hi Nina Matetić Pelikan 
 
Try this approach, as suggested by Ozzie: 
 
1. Create a copy/backup of the termbase file in case anything goes wrong 
2. Rename the termbase .sdltb file by adding the extension .mdb (the file name should look like this: termbasename.sdltb.mdb) 
3. Open the file in Microsoft Access 2003 or later 
4. Allow Microsoft Access to automatically fix any issues existing in the file 
5. Save and close Microsoft Access 
6. Rename the file by removing the extension .mdb

Trados Studio > 3. MultiTerm

Opening an .mdb termbase in Multiterm