# Initialize(SmartSettings, FormatItem, string, int, int)

> Initializes the FormatItem or the derived class.

## Definition

* **Type:** Method
* **Namespace:** [Unity.SmartStrings.Core.Parsing](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/smartstrings/core/parsing.md)
* **Assembly:** UnityEngine.SmartStringsModule

```csharp
protected virtual void Initialize(SmartSettings smartSettings, FormatItem parent, string baseString, int startIndex, int endIndex)
```

### Parameters

**** (\[SmartSettings]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/smartstrings/core/settings/smartsettings)): Formatter and parser settings.**** (\[FormatItem]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/smartstrings/core/parsing/formatitem)): Parent [FormatItem](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/smartstrings/core/parsing/formatitem.md), or `null`.**** (\[string]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.string)): Base format string.**** (\[int]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.int32)): Start index of the [FormatItem](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/smartstrings/core/parsing/formatitem.md) within the base format string.**** (\[int]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.int32)): End index of the [FormatItem](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/smartstrings/core/parsing/formatitem.md) within the base format string.