# dictionaryWithContentsOfURL:error: Creates a dictionary using the keys and values found in a resource specified by a given URL. ``` + (NSDictionary *) dictionaryWithContentsOfURL:(NSURL *) url error:(NSError **) error; ``` ## Parameters `url` A URL that identifies a resource containing a string representation of a property list whose root object is a dictionary. ## Return Value A new dictionary that contains the dictionary at `url`, or `nil` if there is an error or if the contents of the resource are an invalid representation of a dictionary. ## Discussion The dictionary representation in the file identified by path must contain only property list objects ([`NSString`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString), [`NSData`](/documentation/Foundation/NSData), [`NSDate`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDate), [`NSNumber`](/documentation/Foundation/NSNumber), [`NSArray`](/documentation/Foundation/NSArray), or [`NSDictionary`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDictionary) objects). For more details, see [Property List Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/PropertyLists/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000048i). The objects contained by this dictionary are immutable, even if the dictionary is mutable. --- 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)