# Configuring an external dictionary The dictionary configuration has the following structure: ```xml dict_name ``` - name – The identifier that can be used to access the dictionary. Use the characters `[a-zA-Z0-9_\-]`. - [source](external_dicts_dict_sources.html/#dicts-external_dicts_dict_sources) – Source of the dictionary. - [layout](external_dicts_dict_layout.md#dicts-external_dicts_dict_layout) – Location of the dictionary in memory. - [structure](external_dicts_dict_structure.md#dicts-external_dicts_dict_structure) – Structure of the dictionary. A key and attributes that can be retrieved by this key. - [lifetime](external_dicts_dict_lifetime.md#dicts-external_dicts_dict_lifetime) – How frequently to update dictionaries.