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# changeCount

The receiver’s change count.

```
var changeCount: Int { get }
```

## Discussion

The change count starts at zero when a client creates the receiver and becomes the first owner. The change count subsequently increments each time the pasteboard ownership changes.

The change count is also returned from [`clearContents()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSPasteboard/clearContents()) and [`declareTypes(_:owner:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSPasteboard/declareTypes(_:owner:)). You can therefore record the value of `changeCount` at the time that you take ownership of the pasteboard and compare it with a later value to determine whether you still have ownership.

## See Also

[`clearContents()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSPasteboard/clearContents())

Clears the existing contents of the pasteboard.

[`declareTypes(_:owner:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSPasteboard/declareTypes(_:owner:))

Prepares the receiver for a change in its contents by declaring the new types of data it will contain and a new owner.


---

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