Can't save the translated file (Error occurred during align of the file)

Problem: When you try to save the translated file, an error message is shown that says "An unexpected error occurred during align of the file. There was a problem while aligning word document."

Explanation: When you try to save the translated (target) file, Wordfast Pro starts creating it, comparing every segment to the segments of the source file. This operation is called alignment, i.e. every source segment needs to properly align with every target segment. If it doesn't, this triggers an error and the operation is aborted.

Possible causes: The alignment error can happen for a number of reasons:

• Source tags have not been correctly replicated in the target. All tags in a source segment should be transferred to the target, in their correct order. Missing tags can result in problems aligning the target with the source file. This is the cause for not being able to save the translated file in 99% of cases.

Solution: Use Transcheck in order to find which segments are missing tags: Click Preferences > Transcheck. Deactivate all other checks, ticking only the Tag check. Click OK to save the setting, then go to the Review tab of the TXLF Editor and click the Transcheck All button. A list of problems will be displayed in your browser as well as in the TXLF Editor's Transcheck pane. An exclamation mark will be displayed in the Status column of every segment that contains a problem. Check all such segments, fixing the problem described, then try to save the translated file again.

• Segments have been merged or split. When working with an MS Word document derived from a PDF file, the optical character recognition (OCR) engine does not always correctly break to a new line. It can split sentences in half or create paragraph breaks instead of new lines. When translating, the translator will often merge segments that have been split like this. Occasionally, a merger will be problematic. If you see the "An unexpected error occurred during align of the file" error message and you have already checked and made sure there are no missing tags in target segments, then the problem could be caused by a merger.

Solution: Close the TXLF file you are working on. In the Project Files tab, click Add Files and add the corresponding source file to the project. When you do, translate it from the TM using the Until Fuzzy or Until No Match commands on the Translation tab of the TXLF Editor – but do not split or merge any segments this time. When ready, try saving the translated file.

• Missing alt texts for images or charts. In an MS Word file as well as in other file types, every image or graph/chart has its alternative text description. In rare cases, usually when working with an MS Word file derived from a PDF file, this alt text is missing or has other problems. This can cause an alignment error when trying to save the translated file.

Solution: NB! Only proceed with this step if you have made sure the error is not caused by the above two problems. This solution only applies to MS Word files.

1. Close the bilingual file you've been working on. You won't need it.
2. With your project opened, click Preferences > Filters.
3. In the list of filters, scroll down until you find MS Word 2007 Document if your file has a DOCX extension or MS Word Document if your file has the older DOC extension.
4. Click the second line of the filter to open the Format Settings below.
5. Scroll down until you find the tick box for Extract Word shape alternative text and remove the tick.
6. Click OK to save the changes.
7. Return to the Project Files tab of your project.
8. Click Add Files and add the same Word source file to your project. It will be segmented anew but with the new settings.
9. Translate the file from your TM using the Until Fuzzy or Until No Match commands on the Translation tab.
10. When ready, save the translated file – it should work now.