Breaking: #107789 - Core TCA and user settings showitem strings use short form references 

See forge#107789

Description 

TYPO3 Core TCA and user settings ( $GLOBALS['TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS']) configurations have been updated to use short form translation reference formats (e.g., core.form.tabs:*) instead of the full LLL:EXT: path format in showitem strings.

This change affects all core TCA showitem definitions that previously used full LLL:EXT: paths for labels. The most prominent updates are tab labels using the --div-- syntax, though this pattern may be applied to other TCA elements in the future.

Examples of changed references in tab labels:

// Before (TYPO3 v13)
'--div--;LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/Form/locallang_tabs.xlf:general'
'--div--;LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/Form/locallang_tabs.xlf:access'
'--div--;LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/Form/locallang_tabs.xlf:language'
Copied! 
// After (TYPO3 v14)
'--div--;core.form.tabs:general'
'--div--;core.form.tabs:access'
'--div--;core.form.tabs:language'
Copied!

Impact 

Custom extensions that programmatically manipulate TCA or $GLOBALS['TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS'] showitem strings from core tables and expect the full LLL:EXT: path format will break.

This particularly affects code that:

  • Uses string search/replace operations on showitem strings to find or modify specific labels (tabs, palettes, or other elements)
  • Parses showitem strings using regular expressions expecting the LLL:EXT: pattern
  • Extracts translation keys from TCA configurations for analysis or documentation purposes
  • Builds custom TCA configurations by copying and modifying core showitem strings

Currently, the following label categories have been migrated to short-form:

Tab labels (--div--):

  • LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/Form/locallang_tabs.xlf:* → core.form.tabs:*
  • LLL:EXT:filemetadata/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:tabs.* → core.form.tabs:*
  • LLL:EXT:seo/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.tabs.* → core.form.tabs:*

Tab labels (--div--) in TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS:

  • LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:personal_data → core.form.tabs:personaldata
  • LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:accountSecurity → core.form.tabs:account_security
  • LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:opening → core.form.tabs:backend_appearance
  • LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:personalization → core.form.tabs:personalization
  • LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:resetTab → core.form.tabs:reset_configuration

Palette labels (palette definitions):

  • LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:be_users.palettes.* → core.form.palettes:*
  • LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:be_groups.palettes.* → core.form.palettes:*
  • LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.palettes.* → core.form.palettes:*
  • LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:palette.* → core.form.palettes:*
  • LLL:EXT:filemetadata/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:palette.* → core.form.palettes:*
  • LLL:EXT:seo/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.palettes.* → core.form.palettes:*

Replaced hardcoded palette label:

  • Removed the hardcoded palette name in string --palette--;Capabilities;capabilities in table sys_file_storage in favor of a label attached directly to the palette using the short syntax core.form.palettes:*.

Field label overrides removed in showitem definitions:

Field labels can be overridden in showitem definitions for types or palettes, but should rather be kept in the field definition itself. The following field label overrides have been removed from showitem strings in favor of using the field's own label definition:

  • bodytext;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:bodytext_formlabel → bodytext
  • bodytext;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:field.table.bodytext → bodytext
  • CType;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:CType_formlabel → CType
  • colPos;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:colPos_formlabel → colPos
  • header;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:header_formlabel → header
  • header_layout;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:header_layout_formlabel → header_layout
  • header_link;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:header_link_formlabel → header_link
  • header_position;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:header_position_formlabel → header_position
  • subheader;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:subheader_formlabel → subheader
  • date;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:date_formlabel → date
  • file_collections;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:file_collections.ALT.uploads_formlabel → file_collections
  • filelink_size;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:filelink_size_formlabel → filelink_size
  • image_zoom;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:image_zoom_formlabel → image_zoom
  • imageborder;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:palette.mediaAdjustments.imageborder → imageborder
  • image*;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:imageborder_formlabel → frontend.db.tt_content:imageborder
  • imagecols;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:imagecols_formlabel → imagecols
  • imageorient;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:imageorient_formlabel → imageorient
  • imageheight;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:palette.mediaAdjustments.imageheight → imageheight
  • imagewidth;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:palette.mediaAdjustments.imagewidth → imagewidth
  • frame_class;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:frame_class_formlabel → frame_class
  • starttime;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.starttime_formlabel → starttime
  • endtime;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.endtime_formlabel → endtime
  • fe_group;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.fe_group_formlabel → fe_group
  • media;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:media.ALT.uploads_formlabel → media
  • sectionIndex;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:sectionIndex_formlabel → sectionIndex
  • linkToTop;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:linkToTop_formlabel → linkToTop
  • layout;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:layout_formlabel → layout
  • space_before_class;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:space_before_class_formlabel → space_before_class
  • space_after_class;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:space_after_class_formlabel → space_after_class
  • doktype;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.doktype_formlabel → doktype
  • shortcut_mode;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.shortcut_mode_formlabel → shortcut_mode
  • shortcut;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.shortcut_formlabel → shortcut
  • mount_pid_ol;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.mount_pid_ol_formlabel → mount_pid_ol
  • mount_pid;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.mount_pid_formlabel → mount_pid
  • url;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.url_formlabel → url
  • title;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.title_formlabel → title
  • nav_title;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.nav_title_formlabel → nav_title
  • subtitle;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.subtitle_formlabel → subtitle
  • nav_hide;LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.nav_hide_toggle_formlabel → nav_hide
  • extendToSubpages;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.extendToSubpages_formlabel → extendToSubpages
  • abstract;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.abstract_formlabel → abstract
  • keywords;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.keywords_formlabel → keywords
  • author;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.author_formlabel → author
  • author_email;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.author_email_formlabel → author_email
  • lastUpdated;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.lastUpdated_formlabel → lastUpdated
  • newUntil;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.newUntil_formlabel → newUntil
  • backend_layout;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.backend_layout_formlabel → backend_layout
  • backend_layout_next_level;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.backend_layout_next_level_formlabel → backend_layout_next_level
  • module;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.module_formlabel → module
  • content_from_pid;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.content_from_pid_formlabel → content_from_pid
  • cache_timeout;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.cache_timeout_formlabel → cache_timeout
  • l18n_cfg;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.l18n_cfg_formlabel → l18n_cfg
  • is_siteroot;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.is_siteroot_formlabel → is_siteroot
  • no_search;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.no_search_formlabel → no_search
  • php_tree_stop;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.php_tree_stop_formlabel → php_tree_stop
  • editlock;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.editlock_formlabel → editlock
  • media;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.media_formlabel → media
  • tsconfig_includes;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.tsconfig_includes → tsconfig_includes
  • TSconfig;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.TSconfig_formlabel → TSconfig

Field label overrides changed in palette definitions:

  • hidden;LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.hidden_toggle_formlabel → hidden;core.db.pages:hidden
  • hidden;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:field.default.hidden → hidden;frontend.db.tt_content:hidden
  • hidden;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.hidden_formlabel → hidden;core.db.pages:hidden
  • starttime;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:starttime_formlabel → starttime;core.db.general:starttime
  • endtime;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:endtime_formlabel → endtime;core.db.general:endtime
  • fe_group;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:fe_group_formlabel → fe_group;core.db.general:fe_group
  • target;LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_tca.xlf:pages.target_formlabel → target;core.db.pages:link.target

Affected installations 

Installations with custom extensions that:

  • Programmatically read and manipulate TCA showitem strings from $GLOBALS['TCA'] or $GLOBALS['TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS'].
  • Override core TCA or TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS by copying and modifying existing showitem configurations
  • Perform string operations on showitem definitions expecting specific LLL:EXT: path formats
  • Generate documentation or analysis tools based on TCA label path references

The extension scanner will not detect these usages, as they involve runtime string manipulation rather than direct PHP API usage.

Note: Additional TCA elements beyond tab labels may follow this pattern in future TYPO3 versions, further extending the use of short-form references in showitem strings.

Migration 

TCA Migration 

Extension developers should review their Configuration/TCA/Overrides/ files and any PHP code that manipulates TCA showitem strings programmatically.

Option 1: Support both formats in string operations

Update your code to handle both the old LLL:EXT: path format and the new short-form references:

// Before - hardcoded search for old format
if (str_contains($showitem, 'LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/Form/locallang_tabs.xlf:general')) {
    // Will not work in TYPO3 v14+
}
Copied! 
// After - handle new format
if (str_contains($showitem, 'core.form.tabs:general') ||
    str_contains($showitem, 'LLL:EXT:core/Resources/Private/Language/Form/locallang_tabs.xlf:general')) {
    // Works in both versions
}
Copied!

Option 2: Use the TCA API instead of string manipulation

Rather than manipulating showitem strings directly, use TYPO3's TCA manipulation APIs:

// Instead of string manipulation
use TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility;

// Add fields using the API
ExtensionManagementUtility::addToAllTCAtypes(
    'tx_myext_domain_model_foo',
    'my_field',
    '',
    'after:title'
);
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Recommended action for all extension developers

Scan your extension's Configuration/TCA/Overrides/ directory and any PHP code that interacts with showitem strings for patterns such as:

  • str_contains(), str_replace(), preg_match() or similar string functions operating on showitem values
  • String operations looking for 'LLL:EXT:' patterns in TCA configurations
  • Custom parsing of $GLOBALS['TCA'] showitem strings expecting specific path formats

This review is especially important since future TYPO3 versions may further expand the use of short-form references across additional TCA elements.

TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS migrations 

Update your code to handle the new short form references:

Before:

EXT:my_extension/ext_tables.php 
// Before - hardcoded search for old format
$showitem = $GLOBALS['TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS']['showitem'];
if (str_contains($showitem, 'LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:personal_data')) {
    // Will not work in TYPO3 v14+
}
Copied!

After:

EXT:my_extension/ext_tables.php 
// After - handle new format
$showitem = $GLOBALS['TYPO3_USER_SETTINGS']['showitem'];
if (str_contains($showitem, 'core.form.tabs:personaldata')
    || str_contains($showitem, 'LLL:EXT:setup/Resources/Private/Language/locallang.xlf:personal_data')) {
    // Works in both versions
}
Copied!