Multilanguage wpf application with resources in Visual Studio Designer

Question

This is my issue: I have multilanguage WPF application with resources in two different files. Now I choose the proper one in app.xaml.cs like this:

var dict = new ResourceDictionary();
switch (Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.ToString())
{
    case "de-DE":
        dict.Source = new Uri("pack://application:,,,/Resources;component/StringResources.de-DE.xaml", UriKind.Absolute);
        break;
    default:
        dict.Source = new Uri("pack://application:,,,/Resources;component/StringResources.xaml", UriKind.Absolute);
        break;
}
Resources.MergedDictionaries.Add(dict);

and everything works fine, but I can't see that resources in VisualStudio Designer.

On the other hand when I define ResourceDictionary in App.xaml file like this:

<Application x:Class="Ampe.UI.Views.App"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    Exit="App_OnExit" ShutdownMode="OnMainWindowClose">
    <Application.Resources>
        <ResourceDictionary>
            <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
                <ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Resources;component/StringResources.de-DE.xaml"/>
            </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
        </ResourceDictionary>
    </Application.Resources>
</Application>

then I have this resources in designer but I can't set multilanguage.

Is there any possibility to visible resources in designer with multilanguage application? Maybe some kind of change app.xaml file while application is turn on?

Answer 1

You are on the right way.

1. I'd recommend you to clear application merged dictionaries before adding new ones.

       Resources.MergedDictionaries.Clear();
       var dict = new ResourceDictionary();
       switch (Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.ToString())
       {
           case "de-DE":
               dict.Source = new Uri("pack://application:,,,/Resources;component/StringResources.de-DE.xaml", UriKind.Absolute);
               break;
           default:
               dict.Source = new Uri("pack://application:,,,/Resources;component/StringResources.xaml", UriKind.Absolute);
               break;
       }
       Resources.MergedDictionaries.Add(dict);
   

2. Your app.xaml should look like you said:

   <Application x:Class="Ampe.UI.Views.App"
   
       xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
       xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
       Exit="App_OnExit" ShutdownMode="OnMainWindowClose">
       <Application.Resources>
           <ResourceDictionary>
               <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
                   <ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Resources;component/StringResources.de-DE.xaml"/>
               </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
           </ResourceDictionary>
       </Application.Resources>
   </Application>
   

3. When you get localized values from resources, you have to use DynamicResources instead of StaticResources:

   <TextBlock Text="{DynamicResource MyString}" />
   

It works for me. Hope it helps.