# xgettext > Extract gettext strings from code files. > More information: . - Scan file and output strings to `messages.po`: `xgettext {{path/to/input_file}}` - Use a different output filename: `xgettext {{[-o|--output]}} {{path/to/output_file}} {{path/to/input_file}}` - Append new strings to an existing file: `xgettext {{[-j|--join-existing]}} {{[-o|--output]}} {{path/to/output_file}} {{path/to/input_file}}` - Don't add a header containing metadata to the output file: `xgettext --omit-header {{path/to/input_file}}` - Display help: `xgettext {{[-h|--help]}}`