XLF file format is base on XML data standard developed by OASIS in 2002. There are two versions on XLF file format: base version 1.2 and newer 2.0 version, released in August, 2014. Documentation for XLF format is very thorough and covers most usage scenarios.

XLIFF standard used by XLF files was designed to facilitate localization data exchange for translation software tools. By using XLF files, translators responsible for localizing a application without being forced to work directly with code.