Apple Stringsdict file (.stringsdict)

Apple Stringsdict (.stringsdict) is a file format used in Apple's development ecosystem for storing localization data that requires contextual variations, such as plural messages.

The Apple Stringsdict format is not meant to replace the Apple Strings format, but rather to supplement it by allowing for the storage of more complex types of messages.

Apple Stringsdict file example

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<plist version="1.0">
  <dict>
    <key>SelectedItems</key>
    <dict>
      <key>NSStringLocalizedFormatKey</key>
      <string>%#@format@</string>
      <key>format</key>
      <dict>
        <key>NSStringFormatSpecTypeKey</key>
        <string>NSStringPluralRuleType</string>
        <key>NSStringFormatValueTypeKey</key>
        <string>li</string>
        <key>one</key>
        <string>You selected %li item</string>
        <key>other</key>
        <string>You selected %li items</string>
      </dict>
    </dict>
  </dict>
</plist>

Is the Apple Stringsdict file format exclusively used for storing plural messages?

While the Apple Stringsdict file format is primarily used for storing plural localization messages, it can also be used for storing other types of localization data, such as for different interface widths and devices.

What are the most common syntax errors in Apple Stringsdict files?

The most frequent errors in Apple Stringsdict files are syntax errors. These errors are usually caused by missing or wrong syntax tags, which define the structure of the localized string. Syntax errors may happen when tags are incomplete, incorrect or when the syntax within the tags is not appropriate. Forgetting to close a tag or using an inappropriate tag type are examples of causes that lead to syntax errors.