MSGEXEC(1) User Commands MSGEXEC(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

msgexec - process translations of message catalog

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

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

# [DESCRIPTION](#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:](#Command_input:)

[**--newline**](#newline)

add newline at the end of input

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

## [Input file location:](#Input_file_location:)

[**-i**, **--input**=*INPUTFILE*](#i)

input PO file

[**-D**, **--directory**=*DIRECTORY*](#D)

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:](#Input_file_syntax:)

[**-P**, **--properties-input**](#P)

input file is in Java .properties syntax

[**--stringtable-input**](#stringtable)

input file is in NeXTstep/GNUstep .strings syntax

## [Informative output:](#Informative_output:)

[**-h**, **--help**](#h)

display this help and exit

[**-V**, **--version**](#V)

output version information and exit

# [AUTHOR](#AUTHOR)

Written by Bruno Haible.

# [REPORTING BUGS](#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)

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](#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.

August 2026 GNU gettext-tools 1.0

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Document: msgexec(1) from gettext 1.0-r7 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/gettext.git