# CFPropertyListCreateData(_:_:_:_:_:) Returns a CFData object containing a serialized representation of a given property list in a specified format. ``` func CFPropertyListCreateData(_ allocator: CFAllocator!, _ propertyList: CFPropertyList!, _ format: CFPropertyListFormat, _ options: CFOptionFlags, _ error: UnsafeMutablePointer?>!) -> Unmanaged! ``` ## Parameters `allocator` The allocator to use to allocate memory for the new data object. Pass `NULL` or kCFAllocatorDefault to use the current default allocator. `propertyList` The property list to write out. `format` A CFPropertyListFormat constant to specify the data format. See [`CFPropertyListFormat`](/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFPropertyListFormat) for possible values. `options` This parameter is currently unused and should be set to `0`. `error` If this parameter is non-NULL, if an error occurs, on return this will contain a CFError error describing the problem. Ownership follows the [The Create Rule](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFMemoryMgmt/Concepts/Ownership.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001148-103029). ## Return Value A CFData object containing a serialized representation of `propertyList` in a the format specified by `format`. Ownership follows the [The Create Rule](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFMemoryMgmt/Concepts/Ownership.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001148-103029). ## Discussion --- 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)