Abstract: A system and method for providing text-file-based design and runtime dynamic user interface for software applications. The present invention provides one or more text based file format such as an XML file for capturing and storing localization data specifications for user interface screens—translation keys, one or more text based file format for providing language or locality specific translations—localization data, a software module to integrate a user interface design tool to provide runtime and design time translation services, a data processing framework library to support the creation of the localization data, and a run-time mode that provides translation by utilizing lookups of translation keys against a set of localization data files.