Discover String Catalogs

Introduction

• Over time catalog supersedes .strings and .stringsdict files

• Strings automatically extraced by Xcode

• New keys added to all locales

• Supports parameters through String interpolation

• You can provide device-specific Strings by right-clicking (e.g. a longer text or differente term on Mac)

Extract

• A localizable String has 4 components: key (required), default value (optional, default: key), comment (optional), table (optional, default: “Localizable”)

• New single .xcstrings file replaces all different en.lproj/Localizable.strings files with no need for .lproj folders

• Xcode searches for localization Strings in: SwiftUI views, Storyboards, .xib files, ObjC code, C code, Shortcut phrases, Info.plist files

• Use Text(..., comment: ..., bundle: ...)

• For localizable views provided in frameworks, use LocalizedStringResource type -> recommended for representing and passing around

• LocalizedStringResource supports comment, table, default value

• You can use String(localized:) or AttributedString(localized:) (to create LocalizedStringResource?)

• “Use compiler to extract Swift Strings” build setting enabled by default

• Extraction woks from: NSLocalizedString, or any custom names provided to “LocalizedString Macro Names” build setting

• Strings in Interface Builder are localizable, too (but no way to ignore a specific one, I filed a feedback: FB12264777)

• Use InfoPlist.xcstrings for Info.plist -> automatic extraction

• Xcode includes big improvements for how Shortcut phrases are localized (dedicated session)

• If code provides defaultValue: updates, the Strings catalog updates –> code is “source of truth”

• Removed code that has no translations get removed automatically, if translation exists then marked as “Stale”

Edit

• There’s a way to mark a key as “Manually” managed to silence the “stale” warning

• Another red warning for “Untranslated” keys

• There’s also a way to mark keys for “Needs Review” or “Reviewed”

• Pluralization is built into & simplified with substitutes like @birds and @yards when multiple params exist

• Keys you add manually (not through extraction) are marked as “Manually” managed by default

• Right-click on key and choose “Vary by plural” to turn singular String to a pluralized String

Export

• Exporting works like before, creates an xcloc file which contains all localizables, includig images (standardized format)

• String Catalogs work for older OS versions as well -> they get converted to .strings and .stringsdict file on build