# openDocumentWithContentsOfFile:display: Returns a document object created from the contents of a given file and optionally displays it. ``` - (id) openDocumentWithContentsOfFile:(NSString *) fileName display:(BOOL) display; ``` ## Discussion Returns an `NSDocument` object created from the contents of the file `fileName` (an absolute path) and displays it if `flag` is . The returned object is not retained, but is added to the receiver’s list of managed documents. Returns `nil` if the object could not be created, typically because `fileName` does not point to a valid file or because there is no `NSDocument` subclass for the document type (as indicated by the file extension or HFS file type). Even if `flag` is , the document is not displayed if [`shouldCreateUI`](/documentation/AppKit/NSDocumentController/shouldCreateUI) returns . This method calls [`makeDocumentWithContentsOfFile:ofType:`](/documentation/AppKit/NSDocumentController/makeDocumentWithContentsOfFile:ofType:) to obtain the created NSDocument object. If you override this method, your implementation should be prepared to handle either or . To handle an Open Documents Apple event, the Application Kit’s built-in Apple event handling automatically calls this method with the path to the file to open and a display argument. Called with a display argument of instead of when a Print Documents Apple event is handled. This may have been handled differently in versions of macOS prior to version 10.3. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)