Check the version of Polyglossia

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 4 views

XeLatex and Polyglossia Error: Line 505, Undefined Control Sequence. \prop_new_linked:N

Discussion Category: XeLatex, Miktex, Texstudio, Polyglossia, Portable

As a LaTeX user, you may have encountered the error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N" when using XeLatex and Polyglossia. This error can be frustrating, especially when you're working on a project and can't seem to figure out what's causing it. In this article, we'll discuss what this error means, how to troubleshoot it, and provide solutions to get you back on track.

What is XeLatex and Polyglossia?

XeLatex is a typesetting system that allows you to typeset documents using Unicode fonts. It's a powerful tool for creating high-quality documents, especially when working with non-English languages. Polyglossia is a package that provides support for multiple languages in XeLatex. It allows you to typeset documents in multiple languages, including right-to-left languages like Arabic and Hebrew.

The Error: Line 505, Undefined Control Sequence. \prop_new_linked:N

The error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N" occurs when XeLatex encounters an undefined control sequence. In this case, the control sequence is \prop_new_linked:N. This error is usually caused by a mismatch between the version of Polyglossia and the version of XeLatex.

Troubleshooting the Error

To troubleshoot this error, follow these steps:

Check the version of Polyglossia: Make sure you're using the latest version of Polyglossia. You can check the version by running latex --version in your command prompt or terminal.
Check the version of XeLatex: Make sure you're using the latest version of XeLatex. You can check the version by running xelatex --version in your command prompt or terminal.
Update Miktex: If you're using Miktex, make sure it's up to date. You can update Miktex by running the Miktex Package Manager.
Update Texstudio: If you're using Texstudio, make sure it's up to date. You can update Texstudio by running the Texstudio Update Manager.
Check for conflicts: Check for conflicts between Polyglossia and other packages you're using. You can do this by commenting out other packages and seeing if the error persists.

Solutions

Here are some solutions to the error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N":

Update Polyglossia: Update Polyglossia to the latest version. You can do this by running tlmgr update polyglossia in your command prompt or terminal.
Update XeLatex: Update XeLatex to the latest version. You can do this by running tlmgr update xetex in your command prompt or terminal.
Use a different version of Polyglossia: If updating Polyglossia doesn't work, try using a different version of Polyglossia. You can do this by commenting out the line that loads Polyglossia and loading a different version instead.
Use a different package: If none of the above solutions work, try using a different package that provides support for multiple languages. Some popular alternatives to Polyglossia include babel and fontspec.

Code Example

Here's an example of how to use Polyglossia in XeLatex:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{polyglossia}
\setdefaultlanguage{english}
\setotherlanguage{arabic}
\begin{document}
\section{Hello World}
Hello world in English.
\begin{arabic}
مرحبا بالعالم
\end{arabic}
\end{document}

This code loads Polyglossia and sets the default language to English. It also sets the other language to Arabic and prints a greeting in both languages.

Conclusion

The error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N" can be frustrating, but it's usually caused by a mismatch between the version of Polyglossia and the version of XeLatex. By following the troubleshooting steps and solutions outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the error and get back to working on your project. Remember to always check for updates and use the latest versions of Polyglossia and XeLatex to avoid this error in the future.
XeLatex and Polyglossia Error: Line 505, Undefined Control Sequence. \prop_new_linked:N - Q&A

In our previous article, we discussed the error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N" that occurs when using XeLatex and Polyglossia. We also provided solutions to troubleshoot and resolve this error. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this error.

Q: What is the cause of the error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N"?

A: The error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N" is usually caused by a mismatch between the version of Polyglossia and the version of XeLatex.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N"?

A: To troubleshoot the error, follow these steps:

Check the version of Polyglossia.
Check the version of XeLatex.
Update Miktex.
Update Texstudio.
Check for conflicts between Polyglossia and other packages.

Q: What are the solutions to the error "Line 505, Undefined Control sequence. \prop_new_linked:N"?

A: The solutions to the error are:

Update Polyglossia to the latest version.
Update XeLatex to the latest version.
Use a different version of Polyglossia.
Use a different package that provides support for multiple languages.

Q: How can I update Polyglossia and XeLatex?

A: To update Polyglossia and XeLatex, follow these steps:

Open the command prompt or terminal.
Type tlmgr update polyglossia to update Polyglossia.
Type tlmgr update xetex to update XeLatex.

Q: What are some popular alternatives to Polyglossia?

A: Some popular alternatives to Polyglossia are:

babel
fontspec

Q: How can I use babel and fontspec in XeLatex?

A: To use babel and fontspec in XeLatex, follow these steps:

Load the babel package using \usepackage{babel}.
Load the fontspec package using \usepackage{fontspec}.
Set the default language using \setdefaultlanguage{language}.
Set the other language using \setotherlanguage{language}.

Q: Can I use Polyglossia and babel together?

A: Yes, you can use Polyglossia and babel together. However, you may need to adjust the settings to avoid conflicts.

Q: How can I adjust the settings to avoid conflicts between Polyglossia and babel?

A: To adjust the settings, follow these steps:

Load the babel package using \usepackage[language]{babel}.
Load the fontspec package using \usepackage{fontspec}.
Set the default language using \setdefaultlanguage{language}.
Set the other language using \setotherlanguage{language}.