# FileRepresentation A transfer representation for types that transfer as a file URL. ``` struct FileRepresentation where Item : Transferable ``` ## Overview Use a [`FileRepresentation`](/documentation/CoreTransferable/FileRepresentation) for transferring types that involve a large amount of data. For example, if your app defines a `Movie` type that could represent a lengthy video, use a `FileRepresentation` instance to transfer the video data to another app or process. ``` struct Movie: Transferable { let url: URL static var transferRepresentation: some TransferRepresentation { FileRepresentation(contentType: .mpeg4Movie) { movie in SentTransferredFile(movie.url) } importing: { received in let copy = URL(fileURLWithPath: "<#...#>") try FileManager.default.copyItem(at: received.file, to: copy) return Self(url: copy) } } } ``` Note that the overall recommendation is to specify the content type that describes the file content as close as possible. For example, if you are sharing a PDF file, declare a [`FileRepresentation`](/documentation/CoreTransferable/FileRepresentation) of a `UTType.pdf` content type, instead of `UTType.fileURL` or `UTType.content` so the data can be dragged, shared, or imported to apps that support that data type: ``` struct PDFDocument: Transferable { var file: URL static var transferRepresentation: some TransferRepresentation { FileRepresentation(contentType: .pdf) { ... } importing: { ... } } } ``` It’s efficient to pass data around as a file and the receiver loads it into memory only if it’s required. ## Topics ### Creating a transfer representation [`init(contentType:shouldAttemptToOpenInPlace:exporting:importing:)`](/documentation/CoreTransferable/FileRepresentation/init(contentType:shouldAttemptToOpenInPlace:exporting:importing:)) Creates a transfer representation for importing and exporting transferable items as files. [`init(importedContentType:shouldAttemptToOpenInPlace:importing:)`](/documentation/CoreTransferable/FileRepresentation/init(importedContentType:shouldAttemptToOpenInPlace:importing:)) Creates a transfer representation for importing transferable items as files. [`init(exportedContentType:shouldAllowToOpenInPlace:exporting:)`](/documentation/CoreTransferable/FileRepresentation/init(exportedContentType:shouldAllowToOpenInPlace:exporting:)) Creates a transfer representation for exporting transferable items as files. ### Implementing a transfer representation ## Relationships ### Conforms To [`Sendable`](/documentation/Swift/Sendable) [`TransferRepresentation`](/documentation/CoreTransferable/TransferRepresentation) [`SendableMetatype`](/documentation/Swift/SendableMetatype) --- 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)