- Qt 6.12
- Qt Linguist Manual
- Using lupdate-pro
- Qt 6.12.0 Reference Documentation

Using lrelease ◦ Using lrelease-pro

# Using lupdate-pro

The `lupdate-pro` command line tool extracts translatable strings from qmake projects (.pro files) and updates TS files. It is specifically designed for qmake-based projects, while `lupdate` works with source files and JSON description files and is build-system agnostic.

Use `lupdate-pro` when you have a qmake project and want to extract translations based on the project structure defined in your .pro file.

## lupdate-pro syntax

     lupdate-pro [options] [project-file]... [-ts ts-files...]

Where:

- `options` means one or several lupdate-pro options.
- `project-file` is a .pro file to process.
- `ts-files` are the TS files to generate or update.

To view the latest help, enter:

     lupdate-pro -help

### lupdate-pro options

Option | Action
--- | ---
`-help` | Display up-to-date help information and exit.
`-dump-json <file>` | Generate a JSON project description file without processing translations. This file can be passed to `lupdate` or `lrelease` using the `-project` option.
`-silent` | Do not explain what is being done.
`-pro <filename>` | Name of a .pro file. Useful for files with .pro file syntax but different file suffix. Projects are recursed into and merged.
`-pro-out <directory>` | Virtual output directory for processing subsequent .pro files.
`-pro-debug` | Trace processing .pro files. Specify twice for more verbosity.
`-ts <ts-file>...` | Specify the output TS files. This overrides `TRANSLATIONS`.
`-no-obsolete` | Drop all obsolete and vanished strings.
`-pluralonly` | Only include plural form messages.
`-no-sort` | Do not sort contexts in TS files.
`-locations {absolute|relative|none}` | Specify or override the way to save source code references in TS files.
`-no-ui-lines` | Do not record line numbers in references to UI files.
`-source-language <language>[_<region>]` | Specify the language of the source strings for new files.
`-target-language <language>[_<region>]` | Specify the language of the translations for new files.
`-tr-function-alias <function>{+=,=}<alias>` | Recognize `<alias>` as an alternative spelling of `<function>`.
`-version` | Display the version of `lupdate-pro` and exit.

## Examples

### Update translations from a qmake project

     lupdate-pro myproject.pro

### Generate JSON project description

Generate a JSON file describing the project structure for use with `lupdate` or `lrelease`:

     lupdate-pro myproject.pro -dump-json project.json

Then use the generated JSON file with `lupdate`:

     lupdate -project project.json

This two-step workflow is useful when you need to customize the project description or integrate with other tools.

Using lrelease ◦ Using lrelease-pro