I have created some projects using a file type and file type configuration. Now, I would like to make some changes to my file type configuration and apply it to my next project. For example, I would like to add some elements in my XML file type configuration. Will my change affect my existing project that have been segmented with the same file type configuration?

Changing the configuration of a file type which is currently in use in active projects might affect existing active projects using that file type configuration, depending on the extent of the modifications. While you could test the impact of such change, the recommended best practice to modify an existing file type configuration is to create a new version of the file type configuration instead of modifying the existing one.

To do so:

1- Go to Management > Linguistic Tool Setup > File Types, select and export the existing File Type Configuration that you want to change. The exported file will be an *.sdlftssettings file. See also article: WorldServer: How to modify file type configurations starting from WorldServer 11.7?

2- Open Trados Studio and and import the *.sdlftssettings file.

3- In Trados Studio, make the changes as appropriate and save your changed configuration.

4- Export the changed configuration (*.sdlftssettings file) from Trados Studio and import it into WorldServer. During the import, you will be asked if you want to import it as a new file type configuration under a new name, for instance filetype_configuration_XY_version_2

5- Once the configuration has been successfully imported, create a new Filter Group and add the new file type configuration to it.

Note: adding it to an existing Filter Group that is in use by active projects might affect the segmentation of those projects, or cause issues during export/import operations, or Save. You can - however - add the changed file type configuration to an existing filter group/file type sequence if you are sure it is not in use by active projects.

6- Finally, apply the Filter Group to your Project Type and submit your new projects.

Relevant articles:

WorldServer: How do I import a file type configuration from Trados Studio to WorldServer?
WorldServer: How to modify file type configurations starting from WorldServer 11.7?