# How to Open an SDLPPX (Trados Package) Without Trados

Source: https://traduq.com/blog/open-sdlppx-without-trados · Updated October 14, 2026

## Key takeaways

- An .sdlppx is a zip file holding the SDLXLIFF files to translate, an XML manifest and, if the sender added them, translation memories, termbases and reference files.
- memoQ imports Trados packages and exports the .sdlrpx return package. Wordfast Pro imports them too, but its own wiki warns that its return packages may not open in Trados.
- Phrase doesn't accept SDLPPX or SDLRPX packages, and MateCat takes SDLXLIFF files but not packages, so with those tools you unzip the package and work on the SDLXLIFF files.
- A return package carries only the translated files, never the TMs or termbases, and Trados creates one only for files that arrived in a package.
- Without Trados you can translate and return the SDLXLIFF files, but the final Word or InDesign file is normally generated in Trados by whoever sent you the package.

What's inside a Trados .sdlppx package, how to open and translate it in memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Smartcat or by unzipping it, and when you still need Trados.

To open an SDLPPX file without Trados, import it into a CAT tool that reads Trados packages, such as memoQ, Wordfast Pro or Smartcat, or rename it to .zip and unzip it to get at the SDLXLIFF files inside. Opening it is the easy part: sending back a return package (.sdlrpx) that Trados accepts is harder, so check how your tool handles that before you accept the job.

The usual situation: an agency sends you a Trados package, you don't have a Trados licence, and double-clicking the file does nothing. Here is what the file contains, every way to work on it, and where the limits are.

## What SDLPPX and SDLRPX files are

An .sdlppx file is a Trados Studio project package. The project manager builds it in Trados with the Create Project Package wizard, and it carries your part of the job in one file. RWS describes a package as a zip file with an XML manifest that lists its contents. Depending on what the sender chose, it can hold:

- The files to translate or review, as [SDLXLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/sdlxliff) bilingual files
- Reference files, which can include the original source documents
- Translation memories (a project TM made for the package, or the main TMs), termbases and AutoSuggest dictionaries
- Project information: the task you're assigned, such as translation or review, the due date, and the word count and analysis figures

An .sdlrpx file is the return package, the one you send back. According to RWS, it contains only the project files, not the translation memories, termbases or AutoSuggest dictionaries, and Trados lets you create one only for files that came to you in a project package. When the project manager opens it, the translated files replace the untranslated ones in their project.

The same idea exists in other tools: one file goes out to the translator, one comes back. See [project package](https://traduq.com/glossary/project-package) in the glossary.

## Ways to open an SDLPPX without Trados

### memoQ

memoQ imports Trados packages as projects, with their SDLXLIFF documents, translation memories and termbases (you can choose to skip the TMs and termbases). When the translation is done, memoQ exports the return package as an .sdlrpx that holds only the translated files. memoQ translator pro runs on Windows. Of the options here, it is the most complete round trip documented by the vendor.

### Wordfast Pro

Wordfast Pro lists SDLPPX among its supported formats and imports a Trados package into a new project with Import SDL Package in the Project List view. The return trip is the weak spot. Wordfast's own wiki says the feature that creates a return package doesn't work correctly and the result won't open in Trados (it also doesn't keep the package's folder structure), and advises working on the SDLXLIFF files directly. On a Mac, Wordfast Pro needs Apple's Rosetta, and Wordfast says it can't guarantee the program will run on macOS 27.

### Smartcat

Smartcat announced Trados package support in 2018. You upload the package, Smartcat splits it into its files and translation memories, shows the deadline and comments from the package, and when the work is finished you download the project as a return package to open in Trados. You can't add files to a project created from a package. The announcement is several years old, so try it with a small package before a real deadline.

### Phrase

Phrase says plainly that SDLPPX and SDLRPX packages are not supported. Its help also advises against importing SDLXLIFF files, because translating Trados bilingual files outside Trados can cause incompatibilities. You can still bring the translation memories and termbases in as TMX and TBX.

### MateCat

MateCat, a free, open-source CAT tool that runs in the browser, accepts SDLXLIFF files but not packages. Unzip the package, upload the SDLXLIFF files and send back translated SDLXLIFF files rather than a return package.

### OmegaT

OmegaT doesn't open Trados packages, and neither its manual nor the Okapi Filters Plugin lists SDLXLIFF among the supported formats. Some translators do translate SDLXLIFF files in OmegaT through the plugin's XLIFF filter, but it isn't documented, so test a file with the client before you rely on it.

### Unzip it by hand

Rename the .sdlppx to .zip, or open it with 7-Zip, and extract it. The SDLXLIFF files sit in language folders; use the ones in the target-language folder, which contain the target segments. Any translation memories are .sdltm files and termbases are .sdltb files.

That is enough to look inside without installing anything:

- Drop the whole .sdlppx into the [word count and quote tool](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote) to count its words by match band before you agree on a price, optionally against your own TMX or SDLTM.
- Open a bundled .sdltm in the [SDLTM converter](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter) to read it and save it as TMX for your CAT tool (see [how to open an SDLTM without Trados](https://traduq.com/blog/open-sdltm-without-trados)). Termbases (.sdltb) aren't supported there.
- Check finished SDLXLIFF files in the [QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) for numbers, tags and terminology before you deliver.

Zipping your translated files and renaming the zip to .sdlrpx doesn't make a return package. A real one includes a manifest written by the tool that created it.

## What you can and can't do without Trados

**You can:**

- See what's in a package and how many words it has.
- Translate the SDLXLIFF files in memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Smartcat or MateCat, with the package's memories converted to TMX.
- Send back an .sdlrpx from a tool that explicitly supports return packages, which, from the vendors' documentation, means memoQ and Smartcat (Smartcat: per its 2018 announcement).

**You can't, or not reliably:**

- **Return a valid .sdlrpx from other tools.** If your tool can't, agree with the client beforehand to send the translated SDLXLIFF files instead. Keep the original file names: Wordfast notes that a renamed file has to be renamed back before the client can put it into the target-language folder of their Trados project.
- **Rebuild the final document.** The SDLXLIFF holds the text, not a finished Word, InDesign or PowerPoint file. Trados rebuilds the translated document in its original format with its Generate Target Translations task. That step normally happens on the client's side, which is why they want the SDLXLIFF or the return package back.

If most of your clients send Trados packages and expect a return package without surprises, compare the options in [Trados alternatives](https://traduq.com/blog/trados-alternatives) and [memoQ vs Trados](https://traduq.com/blog/memoq-vs-trados).

## memoQ handoff packages: MQOUT and MQBACK

memoQ has its own version of the same workflow. A project manager using the project manager edition sends a handoff package, a single file ending in .mqout. It contains the documents plus translation memories, term bases and project settings; local memories go in as a TMX export and local term bases as a CSV export. You can work on a handoff package in memoQ translator pro, where it opens as a regular local project.

When you finish, you export a delivery package ending in .mqback and send it to the project manager, whose memoQ uses it to update the master project. If that update fails, memoQ's documentation says to unzip the delivery package and import the XLIFF files inside (.xlf or .mqxlz). Those memoQ bilingual files can be checked in the [QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) too.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I open an SDLPPX file for free?

Yes, to look inside: unzip it, count its words in the [quote tool](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote) and convert its TMs with the [SDLTM converter](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter). MateCat is free for translating the SDLXLIFF files. A return package needs a tool that supports one, such as memoQ or Trados.

### What is the difference between SDLPPX and SDLRPX?

SDLPPX is the project package the client sends you, with files and resources. SDLRPX is the return package you send back, with the translated files only.

### Can I open a Trados package on a Mac?

Trados Studio is officially supported on Windows only; RWS says Mac users can run it through Windows with Parallels. memoQ translator pro also runs on Windows. Smartcat and MateCat run in the browser, and Wordfast Pro needs Rosetta on a Mac.

### What do I send back if I can't create a return package?

Ask the client first. Most accept the translated SDLXLIFF files from the target-language folder, with their original names.

## Sources

Vendor documentation checked on 14 October 2026:

- [RWS: Creating project packages (Trados Studio 2024)](https://docs.rws.com/en-US/trados-studio-2024-1145319/creating-project-packages-302049): package wizard options, resources, return package contents
- [RWS developer docs: About packages](https://developers.rws.com/studio-api-docs/apiconcepts/projectautomation/about_packages.html): zip file with XML manifest, contents of project and return packages
- [RWS developer docs: Importing a return package](https://developers.rws.com/studio-api-docs/apiconcepts/projectautomation/importing_a_return_package.html): translated files replace the originals in the project
- [Trados pricing (RWS)](https://www.trados.com/pricing/): Windows support, running on a Mac with Parallels
- [RWS Community: Generate Target Translations (RWS staff answer)](https://community.rws.com/product-groups/trados-portfolio/trados-studio/f/studio/7919/i-can-t-convert-files-back-to-their-native-xliff-format-using-studio-2015-s-generate-target-translations-function/30449): generating the translated file in its source format
- [memoQ help: Import Trados Studio package](https://docs.memoq.com/current/en/Workspace/import-sdl-studio-package.html): importing SDLPPX, exporting SDLRPX
- [memoQ translator pro](https://www.memoq.com/products/memoq-translator-pro/): Windows, SDLXLIFF, other tools' packages
- [memoQ help: Import a new handoff package](https://docs.memoq.com/current/en/Workspace/import-a-new-handoff-package.html) and [memoQ handoff wizard](https://docs.memoq.com/current/en/Workspace/memoq-handoff-wizard.html): MQOUT and MQBACK
- [Wordfast Pro](https://www.wordfast.com/products/wordfast_pro): SDLPPX support, Rosetta and macOS 27 notes
- [Wordfast wiki: Translating SDL Trados packages](https://wordfast.net/wiki/Translating_SDL_Trados_packages): importing packages, return package warning, unzipping
- [Smartcat: Support for Trados packages (2018)](https://www.smartcat.com/blog/support-for-trados-packages-in-smartcat/): importing packages, downloading return packages
- [Phrase help: file import settings](https://support.phrase.com/hc/en-us/articles/5709623207836): packages not supported, SDLXLIFF import not recommended
- [MateCat supported file types (source code)](https://github.com/matecat/MateCat/blob/master/lib/Utils/Registry/AppConfig.php): SDLXLIFF accepted
- [Translation Tribulations: Dissecting a Trados Studio package (2012)](https://translationtribulations.com/2012/05/dissecting-sdl-trados-studio-project.html): source and target language folders inside a package
- [Okapi Filters Plugin for OmegaT](https://okapiframework.org/wiki/index.php/Okapi_Filters_Plugin_for_OmegaT): supported formats

TraduQ is a marketplace for translators, and its file tools are free, need no sign-up and run in your browser, so your files never leave your computer.

## Tools for this

- [Word count & quote](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote) — Count words by match band against your TM or CAT report, price the job and download the quote PDF.
- [Translation QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) — Check numbers, tags, spaces and consistency in bilingual files.
- [Open SDLTM files](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter) — Read Trados memories without Trados and save them as TMX, Excel or CSV.
- [TMX editor](https://traduq.com/tools/tmx-editor) — Edit target segments with memoQ-style tags, delete units and save a TMX.

## Related posts

- [Best Trados Alternatives in 2026 for Freelance Translators](https://traduq.com/blog/trados-alternatives) — Trados Studio alternatives for freelancers in 2026: memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Phrase TMS, CafeTran, OmegaT and MateCat on price, Mac and Trados files.
- [Wordfast vs Trados Studio (2026): Price, Features, Mac](https://traduq.com/blog/wordfast-vs-trados) — Wordfast Pro or Trados Studio? 2026 prices, three-year cost, Mac and Linux support, Trados packages, TM features and which to pick.
- [memoQ vs Smartcat vs Wordfast for a Small Agency (2026)](https://traduq.com/blog/memoq-vs-smartcat-vs-wordfast) — memoQ, Smartcat or Wordfast for a small translation agency? 2026 prices, team costs, shared TMs, Trados file support and which fits your agency.

## Glossary

- [CAT analysis](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-analysis)
- [CAT tool](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-tool)
- [Fuzzy match](https://traduq.com/glossary/fuzzy-match)
- [Minimum fee](https://traduq.com/glossary/minimum-fee)
- [Project package](https://traduq.com/glossary/project-package)
- [SDLXLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/sdlxliff)
- [Termbase](https://traduq.com/glossary/termbase)
- [TMX](https://traduq.com/glossary/tmx)
- [Translation memory](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory)
- [XLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/xliff)