---
name: "intltool-extract"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "intltool"
version: "0.51.0-6"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/intltool-extract"
---

# intltool-extract(8)

generate header files which can be read by gettext

## NAME

intltool-extract - generate header files which can be read by gettext

## SYNOPSIS

**intltool-extract** *\[options\]... SOURCE\_FILE*

## DESCRIPTION

**intltool-extract** extracts strings in the specified XML/INI type *SOURCE\_FILE* and writes them into a C header file. Then [**xgettext**(1)](/xgettext/1.md) can merge these strings inside header file into po template.

**intltool-extract** is usually not executed manually, but called from [**intltool-update**(8)](/intltool-update/8.md) instead.

## OPTIONS

- **-l**

  - **--local**

  Creates a subdirectory under current working directory (named "**tmp/**") and writes files there. This option can't be used with **--update** option.

- **--update**

  Writes header file into the same directory the source file is in. New file name is the source file name appending ".h" extension. This option can't be used with **-l**/**--local** option. Besides, this option is the default option if neither **--local** nor **--update** is specified.

- **--type**=*TYPE*

  Specify the type of source file. Currently supported types are:\
   "gettext/glade" (.glade, .glade2)\
   "gettext/gsettings" (.gschema.xml)\
   "gettext/ini" (Generic INI file)\
   "gettext/keys" (.keys)\
   "gettext/rfc822deb" (RFC 822 format file)\
   "gettext/quoted" (all strings within "")\
   "gettext/schemas" (.schemas)\
   "gettext/scheme" (.scm)\
   "gettext/xml" (Generic XML file)\
   "gettext/qtdesigner" (Qt Designer .ui files)

- **-v**

  - **--version**

  Show version information.

- **-h**

  - **--help**

  Show usage and basic help information.

- **-q**

  - **--quiet**

  Be quiet while running.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to http://bugs.launchpad.net/intltool

## AUTHOR

Darin Adler \<darin@bentspoon.com\>\
 Kenneth Christiansen \<kenneth@gnu.org\>\
 Maciej Stachowiak \<mjs@eazel.com\>

## SEE ALSO

[**intltoolize**(8)](/intltoolize/8.md), [**intltool-prepare**(8)](/intltool-prepare/8.md), [**intltool-merge**(8)](/intltool-merge/8.md), [**intltool-update**(8)](/intltool-update/8.md), [**xgettext**(1)](/xgettext/1.md)