---
title: "Important: #107971 - XLF files now use 2-space indentation"
manual: "TYPO3 Core Changelog"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/changelog:important-107971-1730384000"
source: "Changelog/14.1/Important-107971-XLFFilesNowUseTwoSpacesIndentation.rst"
typo3-version: "14.1"
typo3-major: 14
type: "important"
issue: 107971
forge: "https://forge.typo3.org/issues/107971"
tags: ["Backend", "Localization", "XLF"]
rendered: "2026-09-20T18:31:11+00:00"
---

# Important: #107971 - XLF files now use 2-space indentation {#important-107971-1730384000}

See [forge#107971](https://forge.typo3.org/issues/107971)

## Description {#description}

TYPO3 Core XLF (XLIFF) translation files now consistently use 2-space
indentation instead of tabs. This aligns with the formatting used by Crowdin
and by PHP's `\DOMDocument`. The `.editorconfig` file has been updated
accordingly.

In addition to indentation, all XLF files have been normalized using a unified
XML formatter. This ensures consistent XML declaration, attribute ordering, and
whitespace structure across all XLF files in the Core.

## Checking and normalizing XLF formatting {#checking-and-normalizing-xlf-formatting}

A new script has been introduced to check and normalize XLF formatting.

### Checking formatting via `runTests.sh` {#checking-formatting-via-runtests-sh}

To check whether XLF files have correct formatting (dry-run, no modifications):

```bash
./Build/Scripts/runTests.sh -s normalizeXliff -n
```

This command scans all XLF files in `typo3/sysext/` and reports files that
would be changed.

### Normalizing XLF files via `runTests.sh` {#normalizing-xlf-files-via-runtests-sh}

To normalize all XLF files in-place:

```bash
./Build/Scripts/runTests.sh -s normalizeXliff
```

This command applies consistent indentation and XML normalization to all XLF
files in `typo3/sysext/`.

### Using the standalone script {#using-the-standalone-script}

The script can also be run directly. Requires PHP 8.2+ with DOM and intl
extensions enabled.

```bash
# Show help
./Build/Scripts/xliffNormalizer.php --help

# Check files only (dry-run)
./Build/Scripts/xliffNormalizer.php --root typo3/sysext --dry-run

# Normalize files in place
./Build/Scripts/xliffNormalizer.php --root typo3/sysext

# Check a custom directory
./Build/Scripts/xliffNormalizer.php --root path/to/xlf/files --dry-run
```

## Impact {#impact}

Extension developers should update their XLF files to use 2-space indentation
and expect normalized XML formatting.
The provided script can also be used within extensions to keep XLF files
consistent with TYPO3 Core standards.