Translate lists provide a means of translating a displayed variable value into a different dialog variable pool value, and vice versa. Translation can occur on input (when the user enters a value), on output (the value stored in the variable pool is translated before the user sees it), or both. This is based on the USAGE value of the tag that refers to a variable using a variable class with translate lists.

To associate a translate list with a variable class, code the XLATL (translate list) tag and its required end tag within the VARCLASS definition.

There is an optional MSG attribute on the XLATL tag that allows you to specify your own message to display when input translation specified by the XLATL does not result in a match. For information about defining your own messages, see Messages.