Tips to open XLIFF file

Can't open the XLIFF file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open XLIFF files as well as a list of programs that support XLIFF files.

XLIFF file extension

File Name XLIFF Localization Format
File Developer OASIS
File Category Data Files

The XLIFF file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the XLIFF files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the XLIFF file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 3
  • 2
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is XLIFF file?

The file in the XLIFF format belongs to the Data Files category. The creator of this file is OASIS. Additionally, the Data Files category contains 1326 of other files. XLIFF Localization Format is supported by 3 operating systems. These systems consist of Linux, Mac OS, Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. It is recommended to use OmegaT to handle this file. This is a program created by OmegaT project. This file type can also be opened by 6 other programs. SDL Trados Studio, Swordfish, Swordfish Translation Editor will apply when it is not possible to use OmegaT.

How to open XLIFF file?

The main problem with XLIFF Localization Format is that the XLIFF file is incorrectly associated with programs. This is manifested by the fact that XLIFF files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the XLIFF file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install OmegaT

In this case, you should first verify that the OmegaT application is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name OmegaT into the system search engine. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file XLIFF with OmegaT. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open XLIFF files.

Step 2. Create association of OmegaT with XLIFF files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the XLIFF file to open in the OmegaT application, but you can set it manually. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the XLIFF file with the OmegaT application.

Step 3. Update OmegaT to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the OmegaT program, it is possible that XLIFF Localization Format requires a newer version of the program. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the OmegaT project website and install the latest version.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the XLIFF file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. The most common file problems are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. Usually this applies to XLIFF files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the XLIFF file that we want to open. Sometimes virus-infected XLIFF files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the XLIFF files changes over time. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair XLIFF file corruption. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact OASIS
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted XLIFF files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. If possible, you can try to move the XLIFF file to another location.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the XLIFF file for a certain period of time. If nothing helps, please reset the device.