---
name: "BIS_fnc_localize"
type: function
status: ok
groups: ["Strings"]
arma3_since: "1.00"
locality: {"argument": null, "effect": null, "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/BIS_fnc_localize
revid: 308934
updated: 2022-04-18T19:33:30Z
---

# BIS_fnc_localize

*Function · Strings · Arma 3 v1.00*

## Description

Checks if passed string is localization key and if so, return the localized text. Else, returns the passed string itself.

## Syntax

```sqf
localizationString call BIS_fnc_localize
```

**Parameters:**

- `localizationString`: [String](../topics/String.md)

**Returns:** [String](../topics/String.md) - the localized text behind the key or the key itself (if not localized).

## Examples

### Example 1

```sqf
// assuming the stringtable contains a key "STR_someString" with the value "Hello world"
"STR_someString" call BIS_fnc_localize; // returns "Hello world"

// assuming the stringtable does not contain a key "STR_anotherString"
"STR_anotherString" call BIS_fnc_localize; // returns "STR_anotherString"
```

## See also

[isLocalized](../commands/isLocalized.md) · [localize](../commands/localize.md) · Stringtable.xml

## Community notes

**Vincent H.** — 2017-12-29

Unfortunately [localize](../commands/localize.md) does not exactly do the same as [BIS_fnc_localize](../functions/BIS_fnc_localize.md).

[BIS_fnc_localize](../functions/BIS_fnc_localize.md) also checks if it the input string [isLocalized](../commands/isLocalized.md) while [localize](../commands/localize.md) will return an empty string if the input parameter is not localized.

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — BIS fnc localize](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/BIS_fnc_localize) (revision 308934).</sub>