# localizedString(forKey:value:table:) Returns a localized version of the string designated by the specified key and residing in the specified table. ``` func localizedString(forKey key: String, value: String?, table tableName: String?) -> String ``` ## Parameters `key` The key for a string in the table identified by `tableName`. `value` The value to return if `key` is `nil` or if a localized string for `key` can’t be found in the table. `tableName` The receiver’s string table to search. If `tableName` is `nil` or is an empty string, the method attempts to use the table in `Localizable.strings`. ## Return Value A localized version of the string designated by `key` in table `tableName`. This method returns the following when key is `nil` or not found in table: - If `key` is `nil` and `value` is `nil`, returns an empty string. - If `key` is `nil` and `value` is non-`nil`, returns value. - If `key` is not found and `value` is `nil` or an empty string, returns `key`. - If `key` is not found and `value` is non-`nil` and not empty, return `value`. ## Discussion For more details about string localization and the specification of a `.strings` file, see “[String Resources](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/LoadingResources/Strings/Strings.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000051i-CH6).” Using the user default `NSShowNonLocalizedStrings`, you can alter the behavior of [`localizedString(forKey:value:table:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/localizedString(forKey:value:table:)) to log a message when the method can’t find a localized string. If you set this default to (in the global domain or in the application’s domain), then when the method can’t find a localized string in the table, it logs a message to the console and capitalizes `key` before returning it. The following example cycles through a static array of keys when a button is clicked, gets the value for each key from a strings table named `Buttons.strings`, and sets the button title with the returned value: ```objc - (void)changeTitle:(id)sender { static int keyIndex = 0; NSBundle *thisBundle = [NSBundle bundleForClass:[self class]]; NSString *locString = [thisBundle localizedStringForKey:assortedKeys[keyIndex++] value:@"No translation" table:@"Buttons"]; [sender setTitle:locString]; if (keyIndex == MAXSTRINGS) keyIndex=0; } ``` ## See Also [`path(forResource:ofType:inDirectory:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/path(forResource:ofType:inDirectory:)-swift.type.method) Returns the full pathname for the resource file identified by the specified name and extension and residing in a given bundle directory. [`paths(forResourcesOfType:inDirectory:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/paths(forResourcesOfType:inDirectory:)-swift.type.method) Returns an array containing the pathnames for all bundle resources having the specified extension and residing in the bundle directory at the specified path. [`paths(forResourcesOfType:inDirectory:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/paths(forResourcesOfType:inDirectory:)-swift.method) Returns an array containing the pathnames for all bundle resources having the specified filename extension and residing in the resource subdirectory. [`path(forResource:ofType:inDirectory:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/path(forResource:ofType:inDirectory:)-swift.method) Returns the full pathname for the resource identified by the specified name and file extension and located in the specified bundle subdirectory. [`path(forResource:ofType:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/path(forResource:ofType:)) Returns the full pathname for the resource identified by the specified name and file extension. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)