Trados 2022 Studio SR2 has discontinued to convert PDF files into translatable format.

Question

My Trados software has worked fine with PDF files for a long time. 
 I have scanned several documents with two different scanners and saved them as searchable PDF files. 
 When I open the PDF file in Finereader 15, I can edit and copy text, so the PDF has real text, not only images. 
 When I add the searchable PDF to my Trados project, Trados performs the batch tasks fully without any error messages. However, when I open the PDF with Trados, the result looks like this: 
 Words:

How can I make Trados 2022 convert PDF files into translatable format again?

RWS Community AI · Accepted Answer

Hello, 
 It seems like you're encountering an issue with Trados Studio 2022 SR2 not properly converting your PDF files into a translatable format. Let's address this step by step to help you resolve the problem: 
 ### Step 1: Verify the PDF File 
 - Ensure the PDF is not password-protected or encrypted. Trados Studio cannot process such files. 
 - Confirm that the PDF is a searchable PDF with real text, as you mentioned it works fine in FineReader 15. 
 ### Step 2: Check for Updates 
 - Make sure your Trados Studio 2022 is updated to the latest version (SR2 - 17.2.11.19134 or newer). Updates often include fixes for file conversion issues. 
 ### Step 3: Test with a Different PDF 
 - Try importing a different searchable PDF into Trados Studio to see if the issue is specific to the file you're working with. 
 ### Step 4: Use OCR Software 
 - Even though your PDF is searchable, there might be hidden formatting issues. Use OCR software like FineReader to reprocess the PDF and save it as a new file. Then, try importing the new file into Trados Studio. 
 ### Step 5: Convert to Another

Gérard LAMBERT · Answer

Hello Eberhard Nietzer , 
 A candid question: if you own and use Finereader, why don't you use it to convert your *.pdf file into a *.docx file and then just add this *.docx file instead to your Trados project? 
 Best regards. 
 G&eacute;rard

Anca Stoian · Answer

Hi Eberhard Nietzer 
 We did not discontinue the ability of Trados to read .pdf files, but the app used for this changed. 
 Trados can still read .pdf files but when you scan them it is not guaranteed it can read the entire document properly, as Trados is not a photo-reader. 
 The previous app used for .pdf files was retired, but we have this new app https://appstore.rws.com/plugin/197 which helps with .pdf files, make sure please you install it and that your Trados is updated to the latest version. As it is mentioned on the app page, this app is designed to support the conversion of PDF files into a DOCX so that you can improve the quality of the DOCX prior to translating it in Trados Studio, but the quality of the conversion largely depends on the quality of the original PDF and the conversion software used. 
 Best regards, 
 Anca

Anca Stoian · Answer

Hi again Eberhard Nietzer 
 OneDrive is the issue actually. We advise on saving locally the files, TMs, TBs, projects, etc. that you work with in Trados or Multiterm. OneDrive requires constant internet connection and update, which may not always sync with when you work In Trados or Multiterm on a file and therefore issues of synchronization and errors of not being able to access a file can appear. 
 Please check the below article explaining what issues OneDrive or a similar drive can cause to Trados and Multiterm. 
 https://gateway.rws.com/csm?sys_kb_id=0646ea201b8b9a50772c0dcad34bcb4b&id=kb_article_view&sysparm_rank=1&sysparm_tsqueryId=da25eccc837acf90396947426daad31a 
 And here are a series of errors that one can get: 
 https://gateway.rws.com/csm?sys_kb_id=bf7fb3d483e64754396947426daad375&id=kb_article_view&sysparm_rank=2&sysparm_tsqueryId=da25eccc837acf90396947426daad31a 
 Ideally, keep your files backed up on OneDrive but either pause OneDrive when working in Trados and Multiterm, or save them locally on the computer and then update OneDrive with the said files. 
 Best regards, 
 Anca

Trados Studio > 1. Trados Studio

Trados 2022 Studio SR2 has discontinued to convert PDF files into translatable format.