# instantiateController(identifier:creator:) Creates the specified window controller from the storyboard and initializes it using your custom initialization code. ``` func instantiateController(identifier: NSStoryboard.SceneIdentifier, creator: ((NSCoder) -> Controller?)? = nil) -> Controller where Controller : NSWindowController ``` ## Parameters `identifier` A string that uniquely identifies the window controller in the storyboard file. At design time, put this same string in the Storyboard ID attribute of your window controller in Interface Builder. This identifier is not a property of the window controller object. The storyboard uses it to locate the appropriate data for your controller. If the specified identifier does not exist in the storyboard file, this method raises an exception. `creator` A block that contains your custom creation code for the window controller. Use this block to create the window controller, initialize it with the provided coder object and any custom information you require, and return the result. This block returns a new window controller object and takes the following parameter: - coder: The coder object that contains the storyboard data to use when configuring the window controller. If you return `nil` from your block, this method creates the window controller using the default [`init(coder:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSWindowController/init(coder:)) method. ## Return Value The window controller that corresponds to the specified identifier string. If no window controller has the given identifier, this method throws an exception. ## Discussion Use this method to create a window controller object programmatically. Each time you call this method, it creates a new instance of the window controller using the block you provide. In your `creator` block, create the window controller using your custom constructor method. Your custom initialization method must accept an object as a parameter and must call the inherited [`init(coder:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSResponder/init(coder:)) method at some point during its execution. Not doing so is a programmer error. After initializing the storyboard state, initialize your window controller’s custom properties. --- 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)