Is it possible to pass variable to WIX localization file?

Question

I need to use variable in WIX localization file WIXUI_en-us.wxl. I tried use it like this:

<String Id="Message_SomeVersionAlreadyInstalled" Overridable="yes">A another version of product $(var.InstallationVersionForGUI) is already installed</String>

But it doesn't work. And when I declared property and used it this way:

<String Id="Message_SomeVersionAlreadyInstalled" Overridable="yes">A another version of product [InstallationVersionForGUI] is already installed</String>

doesn't work either.

Where was I wrong?

Thanks for help and your time.

Answer 1

Localization strings are processed at link time, so you can't use $(var) preprocessor variables. Using a [property] reference is supported, as long as the place where the localization string is used supports run-time formatting (e.g., using the Formatted field type).

Answer 2

Your second method should work just fine. This is the same method used by the default .wxl files.

For example, in your .wxl file you would declare your string:

<String Id="Message_Foo">Foo blah blah [Property1]</String>

And in your .wxs file, you declare the property. If you wish, you can declare the property to match a WiX variable (which it sounds like you're trying to do)

<Property Id="Property1">$(var.Property1)</Property>