<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "macOS: 10.10.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "AppKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AppKit/NSViewController/parent",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Property",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Property",
    "modules" : [
      "AppKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)NSViewController(py)parentViewController"
  },
  "title" : "parent"
}
-->

# parent

The immediate ancestor view controller of the view controller.

```
var parent: NSViewController? { get }
```

## Discussion

The value of this property is `nil` if the view controller has no parent view controller, such as if the view controller is a window’s content view controller.

---

Copyright &copy; 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)