Removing Duplicates from a Multiterm Termbase

Duplicates in a Multiterm termbase can clutter up the term recognition list in Studio and make files larger than they need to be, so it makes sense to keep our termbases as duplicate-free as possible. Here's a quick and easy how-to for termbase maintenance.

Step 1. Convert the termbase to an Excel file

The easiest and fastest way to do this is to use the Open Exchange Glossary Converter app. It's a simple matter of dragging and dropping the termbase onto the app, and just like that, an Excel file will be created in the same folder where the exported termbase is stored.

Step 2. Remove duplicates in Excel

Open the converted file in Excel, and go to Data - Data Tools - Remove Duplicates. Excel will tell you how many duplicates were removed and how many entries are still left.

Step 3. Convert the Excel file back to a termbase

Once again, drag and drop the file (the Excel file this time) onto the Glossary Converter and let it work its magic. You can either overwrite the existing termbase or save it under a new name.

And that's all there is to it. The whole process doesn't take more than a few minutes. Of course, all the standard data back-up warnings apply, and it's advisable to make a copy of the termbase before starting the process, just in case.