# description(withLocale:indent:) Returns a string object that represents the contents of the dictionary, formatted as a property list. ``` func description(withLocale locale: Any?, indent level: Int) -> String ``` ## Parameters `locale` An object that specifies options used for formatting each of the dictionary’s keys and values; pass `nil` if you don’t want them formatted. On iOS and macOS 10.5 and later, either an instance of `NSDictionary` or an `NSLocale` object may be used for `locale` . In OS X v10.4 and earlier it must be an instance of `NSDictionary` . `level` Specifies a level of indentation, to make the output more readable: the indentation is (4 spaces) * `level`. ## Return Value A string object that represents the contents of the dictionary, formatted as a property list. ## Discussion The returned `NSString` object contains the string representations of each of the dictionary’s entries. [`description(withLocale:indent:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDictionary/description(withLocale:indent:)) obtains the string representation of a given key or value as follows: - If the object is an `NSString` object, it is used as is. - If the object responds to `descriptionWithLocale:indent:`, that method is invoked to obtain the object’s string representation. - If the object responds to `descriptionWithLocale:`, that method is invoked to obtain the object’s string representation. - If none of the above conditions is met, the object’s string representation is obtained by through its `description` property. If each key in the dictionary responds to `compare:`, the entries are listed in ascending order, by key. Otherwise, the order in which the entries are listed is undefined. --- 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)