Customize user interface text in message files

Tekla Structures uses the information in the message files to show messages in the user interface.

Message files include texts in languages in which the Tekla Structures user interface is available. You can customize the texts in message files, such as the texts used in dialog boxes.

Customize message files

You can customize the messages that Tekla Structures shows in the user interface.

Note: Do not directly edit the default message files.

Browse to the message file that contains the text that you want to customize.
- Message files with the .ail extension are located in the folder ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\bin\messages.
- Message files with the .xml extension are located in the folder ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\bin\messages\DotAppsStrings.
Make your own copy of the file and save it in a location that does not get overwritten during upgrades, such as in the firm folder.
Update the value of the XS_MESSAGES_PATH advanced option to use the location of your customized file.
Open the message file using a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.
Modify the messages as required.

If you duplicate the default strings in your custom files, add a custom message group prefix to the default strings to make them unique.
Save the message file.

Example: customize a message file

This example shows how to modify a message that Tekla Structures uses for near side plates in drawings to show (NS) instead of (N/S).

Go to the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\bin\messages folder.
Make a copy of the by_number.ail file and save it in the firm folder.

The by_number.ail file contains both prompts and default texts that Tekla Structures uses in drawings.
Update the value of the XS_MESSAGES_PATH advanced option to use the location of your customized file.
Open your copy of the by_number.ail using a text editor.

Browse to the following section:

string by_number_msg_no_675
 {
...
entry = ("enu", "(N/S)");
};

Change (N/S) to (NS) in the entry row.
Save and close the file.