Use localized strings in storyboard - ios

Question

I'm pretty new to iOS development and I was asking my self if it is possible to use localized strings from my "Localizable.strings" file directly into the storyboard.
For example in Android you can do it from the XML file like this:
android:text="#string/notConnected"
I understood that you can make a localized version of the storyboard, but having different strings files and different storyboards looks pretty ugly to me.
So is it possible to have only strings files and use what I need into the storyboard? Preferably without setting it from code?
EDIT:
This is practically what I want to do:
So is this possible? Is there a legit way to call a string from there like in Android?

Answer 1

I think being able to localise Strings in the storyboard is of significant advantage. I don't agree with #elk_cloner that hooking up IBOutlets for every UILabel is the way forward.
One way of getting it to work is using an #IBInspectable property on a UILabel subclass:
class LocalisableLabel: UILabel {
#IBInspectable var localisedKey: String? {
didSet {
guard let key = localisedKey else { return }
text = NSLocalizedString(key, comment: "")
}
}
}
In the storyboard set the custom class:
In the attributes inspector the localisedKey field will appear and you can just add your key here.
That's it!
EDIT:
You can localise UIButtons the same way, BUT if the text in the storyboard's title field differs from the localised String (which it will in other languages) the setting of the title will animate.
To fix this, put the setTitle in a performWithoutAnimation block:
class LocalisableButton: UIButton {
#IBInspectable var localisedKey: String? {
didSet {
guard let key = localisedKey else { return }
UIView.performWithoutAnimation {
setTitle(key.localized, for: .normal)
layoutIfNeeded()
}
}
}
}

Answer 2

In addition to Leon's answer, you can get rid of the need for an explicit subclass by using an extension:
extension UILabel {
#IBInspectable var localizableText: String? {
get { return text }
set(value) { text = NSLocalizedString(value!, comment: "") }
}
}

Answer 3

According to your requirement it's not possible but
You don't need different storyboards for localization
Suppose you want to localize a label string.
Draw and outlet and change text using
mylabel.text = nsLocalizedString("THIS_IS_MY_STRING",nil);
Of course in your localization file there will be a line.You must have different files for different language.Suppose you have a file for english and there must be a line.
"THIS_IS_MY_STRING" = "This is my string";
When you compile your app, that function will use mapping to localize your app.
Edit:
If you want detail information please have a look at these tutorials
internationalization-tutorial-for-ios-2014
and ios-localization-tutorial
There are some online script(e.g localize.py) which will help you to automatically search all of your code and find out nslocalizedString function and make lines in your localizableString files. like this.
"THIS_IS_MY_STRING" = "THIS_IS_MY_STRING"
and later on you just have to write actual string there. :)

Answer 4

Make a button class and set #IBInspectable attribute to the button class
class Button: UIButton {
#IBInspectable public var referenceText: String = "" {
didSet {
self.setTitle(NSLocalizedString(referenceText, comment: ""), for: .normal)
}
}
}
Then in the storyboard you can set referenceText
The button text will be "Sign In"

Answer 5

Another possible way is to localize the storyboard and simply change the values for labels and buttons directly on the .string file.
First select the storyboard, and click on localize:
Then you'll be able to select the languages you want.
This way you'll be able to continue developing on your language of choice and simply edit the .string file that is generated

Answer 6

for button
extension UIButton {
#IBInspectable var localizableText: String? {
get { return titleLabel?.text }
set(value)
{
setTitle(NSLocalizedString(value!, comment: ""), for: .normal)
}}}