Link resource with @
//File:main.xml for layout <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:orientation="vertical" android:layout_width="fill_parent" android:layout_height="fill_parent" > <TextView android:layout_width="fill_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:text="@string/directions" /> </LinearLayout> //strings.xml for text value <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <resources> <string name="directions">Hello World, appTest!</string> <string name="app_name">app.Test</string> </resources>