# init(pasteboard:) Creates and returns an image representation object using the contents of the specified pasteboard. ``` init?(pasteboard: NSPasteboard) ``` ## Parameters `pasteboard` The pasteboard containing the image data. ## Return Value An initialized instance of an `NSImageRep` subclass, or `nil` if the image data could not be read. ## Discussion If sent to the `NSImageRep` class object, this method returns a newly allocated instance of a subclass of `NSImageRep` initialized with the data in the specified pasteboard. If sent to a subclass of `NSImageRep` that recognizes the data on the pasteboard, it returns an instance of that subclass initialized with that data. This method returns `nil` in any of the following cases: - The message is sent to the `NSImageRep` class object and there are no subclasses in the `NSImageRep` class registry that handle data of the type contained in the specified pasteboard. - The message is sent to a subclass of `NSImageRep` and that subclass cannot handle data of the type contained in the specified pasteboard. - The `NSImageRep` subclass is unable to initialize itself with the contents of the pasteboard. The `NSImageRep` subclass is initialized by creating an `NSData` object based on the data the specified pasteboard and passing it to the `imageRepWithData:` method. ## See Also [`+ imagePasteboardTypes`](/documentation/AppKit/NSImageRep/imagePasteboardTypes()) Returns the pasteboard types supported by the image representation class or one of its subclasses. --- 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)