---
name: "lupdate-qt3"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "qt3-dev-tools"
version: "3:3.3.8b-7+b1"
release: "Debian 6.0 (Squeeze)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lupdate-qt3"
---

# lupdate-qt3(1)

update Qt Linguist translation files

## NAME

lupdate - update Qt Linguist translation files

## SYNOPSIS

**lupdate** \[ *options* \] *project-file*\
 **lupdate** \[ *options* \] *source-files* -ts *ts-files*

## DESCRIPTION

This page documents the **Qt Linguist Update** tool for the Qt GUI toolkit. **Lupdate** reads a qmake/tmake project file (.pro file), finds the translatable strings in the specified source, header and interface files, and updates the translation files (.ts files) specified in it. The translation files are given to the translator who uses **Qt Linguist** to read the files and insert the translations.

The .ts file format is a simple human-readable XML format that can be used with version control systems if required.

## OPTIONS

- *-help*

  Display the usage and exit.

- *-noobsolete*

  Drop all obsolete strings.

- *-verbose*

  Explain what is being done.

- *-version*

  Display the version of **lupdate** and exit.

## USAGE

Here is an example .pro file that can be given to **lupdate:**

```
HEADERS         = funnydialog.h \
                  wackywidget.h
SOURCES         = funnydialog.cpp \
                  main.cpp \
                  wackywidget.cpp
FORMS           = fancybox.ui
TRANSLATIONS    = gnomovision_dk.ts \
                  gnomovision_fi.ts \
                  gnomovision_no.ts \
                  gnomovision_se.ts
```

When running **lupdate** on this project file, the translatable strings in all the files listed in the HEADERS, SOURCES and FORMS entries will be put in the translation files listed in the TRANSLATIONS entry. Previous translations will be reused as far as possible, and translated strings that have vanished from the source files are marked obsolete.

**Lupdate** can also be invoked with a list of C++ source files, .ui files and .ts files:

```
lupdate *.cpp *.h *.ui -ts gnomovision_dk.ts
```

## SEE ALSO

[**lrelease**(1)](/lrelease/1.md) and **http://doc.trolltech.com/i18n.html**