# 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.md#dicts-external_dicts_dict_sources) — Source of the dictionary. - [layout](external_dicts_dict_layout.md#dicts-external_dicts_dict_layout) — Dictionary layout 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) — Frequency of dictionary updates.