The list below provides an overview of the file formats that users can import to create new jobs within existing projects:
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.docx, .dotx, .docm, .dotm, .pptx, .potx, .pptm, .potm, .xlsx, .xltx, .xlsm, .xltm
Important
Since October 31, 2025, Phrase TMS no longer supports importing or processing legacy Microsoft Office based file formats: .doc, .dot, .xls, .xlt, .ppt, .pot, .rtf
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.asciidoc, .adoc, .asc
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Google Docs, Sheets, Slides imported via Google Drive connector are converted to MS Office format.
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OpenOffice or LibreOffice documents (.odt, .ods, odp) are supported, but it is recommended to save them in MS Office formats before importing.
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.idml, .icml, .mif (version 8 and above only), .psd, .svg (Illustrator can output content in .svg format if required).
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.xml, .xhtm, .xhtml, Android .xml
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.mxliff, .xliff (1.2),.xliff (2.0), .xliff for Drupal/WordPress, mqxliff (MemoQ xliff), tmx
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.catkeys, .csv, (Magento).csv, DocBook (.dbk), .desktop, (Mozilla).DTD, .epub, (Joomla).ini, .json, .arb (import as JSON), .lang, .Plist, .po, .properties, (Java).properties, .rc, .resx, .srt (Windows-1252), .strings, .sbv, .sub (SubViewer only), .ts, .txt, .vtt, .wiki, .yaml
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.zip
Custom file types based on .XML, .TXT, .HTML or .JSON that are defined by filename and extension can be automatically detected and imported. Once defined, the definition can be used to import that file type in batches when creating a job.
Since October 31, 2025, Phrase TMS no longer supports importing or processing older Microsoft Office based formats. This change is part of an ongoing effort to improve platform stability, performance, and support for modern workflows.
The following legacy file formats are no longer accepted during file upload:
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MS Word based: .doc, .dot
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MS Excel based: .xls, .xlt
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MS PowerPoint based: .ppt, .pot
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.rtf (convert to .docx)
Existing jobs with these file formats will not be impacted, but updated or continuous jobs may fail if the source remains in legacy formats.
To avoid disruptions, convert legacy file formats to their modern equivalents before uploading content to Phrase TMS.
Files with .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx extensions saved in Strict Open XML format are not supported for import. Attempting to import such a file results in an error stating that Strict Open XML format is not supported. Resave the file as standard Office Open XML format using the corresponding MS application before uploading it to Phrase TMS.
Recommended solutions
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Use Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint to convert legacy files. This helps preserve formatting, metadata, and embedded content more reliably than other tools.
Open the legacy file in the corresponding MS application and save it as the latest available format. When converting legacy files in MS Word, ensure the option to maintain compatibility with previous versions of Word is checked.
Legacy format
Contains a macro?
Modern format
.doc
No
.docx
.doc
Yes
.docm
.dot
No
.dotx
.dot
Yes
.dotm
.xls
No
.xlsx
.xls
Yes
.xlsm
.xlt
No
.xltx
.xlt
Yes
.xltm
.ppt
No
.pptx
.ppt
Yes
.pptm
.pot
No
.potx
.pot
Yes
.potm
.rtf
No
.docx
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LibreOffice may also be used for conversion, but results can vary depending on the content. It is recommended to double-check the converted file before uploading.
Potential issues include:
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Slight formatting changes (e.g. line breaks, spacing)
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More tags appearing in Phrase TMS due to compatibility markup
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Missing metadata
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In rare cases, loss of hyperlinks or embedded images and tables
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