---
name: "msgexec"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "gettext"
version: "1.0-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/msgexec"
---

# msgexec(1)

process translations of message catalog

## NAME

msgexec - process translations of message catalog

## SYNOPSIS

**msgexec** \[*OPTION*\] *COMMAND* \[*COMMAND-OPTION*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Applies a command to all translations of a translation catalog. The COMMAND can be any program that reads a translation from standard input.  It is invoked once for each translation.  Its output becomes msgexec's output.  msgexec's return code is the maximum return code across all invocations.

A special builtin command called '0' outputs the translation, followed by a null byte.  The output of "msgexec 0" is suitable as input for "xargs **-0**".

### Command input:

- **--newline**

  add newline at the end of input

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

### Input file location:

- **-i**, **--input**=*INPUTFILE*

  input PO file

- **-D**, **--directory**=*DIRECTORY*

  add DIRECTORY to list for input files search

If no input file is given or if it is -, standard input is read.

### Input file syntax:

- **-P**, **--properties-input**

  input file is in Java .properties syntax

- **--stringtable-input**

  input file is in NeXTstep/GNUstep .strings syntax

### Informative output:

- **-h**, **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **-V**, **--version**

  output version information and exit

## AUTHOR

Written by Bruno Haible.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs in the bug tracker at \<https://savannah.gnu.org/projects/gettext\> or by email to \<bug-gettext@gnu.org\>.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2001-2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **msgexec** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **msgexec** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info msgexec**

should give you access to the complete manual.