# NSMetadataItem The metadata associated with a file. ``` class NSMetadataItem ``` ## Overview Metadata items provide a simple interface to retrieve the available attribute names and values. ## Topics ### Creating a Metadata Item [`- initWithURL:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItem/init(url:)-9xxs3) Initializes a metadata item with a given URL. ### Getting Item Attributes [`attributes`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItem/attributes) An array containing the attribute keys for the metadata item’s values. [`- valueForAttribute:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItem/value(forAttribute:)) Returns the receiver’s metadata attribute name specified by a given key. [`- valuesForAttributes:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItem/values(forAttributes:)) Returns a dictionary containing the key-value pairs for the attribute names specified by a given array of keys. ### Item Attribute Keys [`NSMetadataItemAudiencesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAudiencesKey) [`NSMetadataItemAudioBitRateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAudioBitRateKey) [`NSMetadataItemAudioChannelCountKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAudioChannelCountKey) [`NSMetadataItemAudioEncodingApplicationKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAudioEncodingApplicationKey) [`NSMetadataItemAudioSampleRateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAudioSampleRateKey) [`NSMetadataItemAudioTrackNumberKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAudioTrackNumberKey) [`NSMetadataItemAuthorAddressesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAuthorAddressesKey) [`NSMetadataItemAuthorEmailAddressesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAuthorEmailAddressesKey) [`NSMetadataItemAuthorsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAuthorsKey) [`NSMetadataItemAcquisitionMakeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAcquisitionMakeKey) [`NSMetadataItemAcquisitionModelKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAcquisitionModelKey) [`NSMetadataItemAlbumKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAlbumKey) [`NSMetadataItemAltitudeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAltitudeKey) [`NSMetadataItemApertureKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemApertureKey) [`NSMetadataItemAppleLoopDescriptorsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAppleLoopDescriptorsKey) [`NSMetadataItemAppleLoopsKeyFilterTypeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAppleLoopsKeyFilterTypeKey) [`NSMetadataItemAppleLoopsLoopModeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAppleLoopsLoopModeKey) [`NSMetadataItemAppleLoopsRootKeyKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAppleLoopsRootKeyKey) [`NSMetadataItemApplicationCategoriesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemApplicationCategoriesKey) [`NSMetadataItemAttributeChangeDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemAttributeChangeDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemFSNameKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFSNameKey) [`NSMetadataItemDisplayNameKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDisplayNameKey) [`NSMetadataItemURLKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemURLKey) [`NSMetadataItemPathKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPathKey) [`NSMetadataItemFSSizeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFSSizeKey) [`NSMetadataItemFSCreationDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFSCreationDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemFSContentChangeDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFSContentChangeDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemBitsPerSampleKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemBitsPerSampleKey) [`NSMetadataItemCFBundleIdentifierKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCFBundleIdentifierKey) [`NSMetadataItemCameraOwnerKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCameraOwnerKey) [`NSMetadataItemCityKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCityKey) [`NSMetadataItemCodecsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCodecsKey) [`NSMetadataItemColorSpaceKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemColorSpaceKey) [`NSMetadataItemCommentKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCommentKey) [`NSMetadataItemComposerKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemComposerKey) [`NSMetadataItemContactKeywordsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemContactKeywordsKey) [`NSMetadataItemContentCreationDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemContentCreationDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemContentModificationDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemContentModificationDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemContentTypeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemContentTypeKey) The content type (UTI) of the metadata item. [`NSMetadataItemContentTypeTreeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemContentTypeTreeKey) The content type tree of the metadata item. [`NSMetadataItemContributorsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemContributorsKey) [`NSMetadataItemCopyrightKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCopyrightKey) [`NSMetadataItemCountryKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCountryKey) [`NSMetadataItemCoverageKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCoverageKey) [`NSMetadataItemCreatorKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemCreatorKey) [`NSMetadataItemDateAddedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDateAddedKey) [`NSMetadataItemDeliveryTypeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDeliveryTypeKey) [`NSMetadataItemDescriptionKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDescriptionKey) [`NSMetadataItemDirectorKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDirectorKey) [`NSMetadataItemDownloadedDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDownloadedDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemDueDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDueDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemDurationSecondsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemDurationSecondsKey) [`NSMetadataItemEXIFGPSVersionKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemEXIFGPSVersionKey) [`NSMetadataItemEXIFVersionKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemEXIFVersionKey) [`NSMetadataItemEditorsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemEditorsKey) [`NSMetadataItemEmailAddressesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemEmailAddressesKey) [`NSMetadataItemEncodingApplicationsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemEncodingApplicationsKey) [`NSMetadataItemExecutableArchitecturesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemExecutableArchitecturesKey) [`NSMetadataItemExecutablePlatformKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemExecutablePlatformKey) [`NSMetadataItemExposureModeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemExposureModeKey) [`NSMetadataItemExposureProgramKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemExposureProgramKey) [`NSMetadataItemExposureTimeSecondsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemExposureTimeSecondsKey) [`NSMetadataItemExposureTimeStringKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemExposureTimeStringKey) [`NSMetadataItemFNumberKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFNumberKey) [`NSMetadataItemFinderCommentKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFinderCommentKey) [`NSMetadataItemFlashOnOffKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFlashOnOffKey) [`NSMetadataItemFocalLength35mmKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFocalLength35mmKey) [`NSMetadataItemFocalLengthKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFocalLengthKey) [`NSMetadataItemFontsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemFontsKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSAreaInformationKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSAreaInformationKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDOPKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDOPKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDateStampKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDateStampKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDestBearingKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDestBearingKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDestDistanceKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDestDistanceKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDestLatitudeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDestLatitudeKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDestLongitudeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDestLongitudeKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSDifferentalKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSDifferentalKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSMapDatumKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSMapDatumKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSMeasureModeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSMeasureModeKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSProcessingMethodKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSProcessingMethodKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSStatusKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSStatusKey) [`NSMetadataItemGPSTrackKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGPSTrackKey) [`NSMetadataItemGenreKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemGenreKey) [`NSMetadataItemHasAlphaChannelKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemHasAlphaChannelKey) [`NSMetadataItemHeadlineKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemHeadlineKey) [`NSMetadataItemISOSpeedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemISOSpeedKey) [`NSMetadataItemIdentifierKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemIdentifierKey) [`NSMetadataItemImageDirectionKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemImageDirectionKey) [`NSMetadataItemInformationKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemInformationKey) [`NSMetadataItemInstantMessageAddressesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemInstantMessageAddressesKey) [`NSMetadataItemInstructionsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemInstructionsKey) [`NSMetadataItemIsApplicationManagedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemIsApplicationManagedKey) [`NSMetadataItemIsGeneralMIDISequenceKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemIsGeneralMIDISequenceKey) [`NSMetadataItemIsLikelyJunkKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemIsLikelyJunkKey) [`NSMetadataItemKeySignatureKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemKeySignatureKey) [`NSMetadataItemKeywordsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemKeywordsKey) [`NSMetadataItemKindKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemKindKey) [`NSMetadataItemLanguagesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLanguagesKey) [`NSMetadataItemLastUsedDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLastUsedDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemLatitudeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLatitudeKey) [`NSMetadataItemLayerNamesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLayerNamesKey) [`NSMetadataItemLensModelKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLensModelKey) [`NSMetadataItemLongitudeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLongitudeKey) [`NSMetadataItemLyricistKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemLyricistKey) [`NSMetadataItemMaxApertureKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemMaxApertureKey) [`NSMetadataItemMediaTypesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemMediaTypesKey) [`NSMetadataItemMeteringModeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemMeteringModeKey) [`NSMetadataItemMusicalGenreKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemMusicalGenreKey) [`NSMetadataItemMusicalInstrumentCategoryKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemMusicalInstrumentCategoryKey) [`NSMetadataItemMusicalInstrumentNameKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemMusicalInstrumentNameKey) [`NSMetadataItemNamedLocationKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemNamedLocationKey) [`NSMetadataItemNumberOfPagesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemNumberOfPagesKey) [`NSMetadataItemOrganizationsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemOrganizationsKey) [`NSMetadataItemOrientationKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemOrientationKey) [`NSMetadataItemOriginalFormatKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemOriginalFormatKey) [`NSMetadataItemOriginalSourceKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemOriginalSourceKey) [`NSMetadataItemPageHeightKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPageHeightKey) [`NSMetadataItemPageWidthKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPageWidthKey) [`NSMetadataItemParticipantsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemParticipantsKey) [`NSMetadataItemPerformersKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPerformersKey) [`NSMetadataItemPhoneNumbersKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPhoneNumbersKey) [`NSMetadataItemPixelCountKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPixelCountKey) [`NSMetadataItemPixelHeightKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPixelHeightKey) [`NSMetadataItemPixelWidthKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPixelWidthKey) [`NSMetadataItemProducerKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemProducerKey) [`NSMetadataItemProfileNameKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemProfileNameKey) [`NSMetadataItemProjectsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemProjectsKey) [`NSMetadataItemPublishersKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemPublishersKey) [`NSMetadataItemRecipientAddressesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRecipientAddressesKey) [`NSMetadataItemRecipientEmailAddressesKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRecipientEmailAddressesKey) [`NSMetadataItemRecipientsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRecipientsKey) [`NSMetadataItemRecordingDateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRecordingDateKey) [`NSMetadataItemRecordingYearKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRecordingYearKey) [`NSMetadataItemRedEyeOnOffKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRedEyeOnOffKey) [`NSMetadataItemResolutionHeightDPIKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemResolutionHeightDPIKey) [`NSMetadataItemResolutionWidthDPIKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemResolutionWidthDPIKey) [`NSMetadataItemRightsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemRightsKey) [`NSMetadataItemSecurityMethodKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemSecurityMethodKey) [`NSMetadataItemSpeedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemSpeedKey) [`NSMetadataItemStarRatingKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemStarRatingKey) [`NSMetadataItemStateOrProvinceKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemStateOrProvinceKey) [`NSMetadataItemStreamableKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemStreamableKey) [`NSMetadataItemSubjectKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemSubjectKey) [`NSMetadataItemTempoKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemTempoKey) [`NSMetadataItemTextContentKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemTextContentKey) [`NSMetadataItemThemeKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemThemeKey) [`NSMetadataItemTimeSignatureKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemTimeSignatureKey) [`NSMetadataItemTimestampKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemTimestampKey) [`NSMetadataItemTitleKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemTitleKey) [`NSMetadataItemTotalBitRateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemTotalBitRateKey) [`NSMetadataItemVersionKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemVersionKey) [`NSMetadataItemVideoBitRateKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemVideoBitRateKey) [`NSMetadataItemWhereFromsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemWhereFromsKey) [`NSMetadataItemWhiteBalanceKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemWhiteBalanceKey) ### iCloud Keys Attribute keys that describe cloud-related information about the item. [`NSMetadataItemIsUbiquitousKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataItemIsUbiquitousKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemContainerDisplayNameKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemContainerDisplayNameKey) The display name of the container that stores the ubiquitous item. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadRequestedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadRequestedKey) A Boolean value indicating whether a download has been requested for the ubiquitous item. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsExternalDocumentKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsExternalDocumentKey) A Boolean value indicating whether the ubiquitous item is from an external document. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemURLInLocalContainerKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemURLInLocalContainerKey) The URL for the ubiquitous item in the local container. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemHasUnresolvedConflictsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemHasUnresolvedConflictsKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsDownloadedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsDownloadedKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsDownloadingKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsDownloadingKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsUploadedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsUploadedKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsUploadingKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsUploadingKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemPercentDownloadedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemPercentDownloadedKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemPercentUploadedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemPercentUploadedKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingErrorKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingErrorKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemUploadingErrorKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemUploadingErrorKey) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsSharedKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemIsSharedKey) A Boolean value indicating whether the ubiquitous item is shared. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemCurrentUserPermissionsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemCurrentUserPermissionsKey) The permissions for the current user, or `nil` if not shared. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemCurrentUserRoleKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemCurrentUserRoleKey) The current user’s role for the shared item, or `nil` if not shared. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemMostRecentEditorNameComponentsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemMostRecentEditorNameComponentsKey) The name components of the most recent editor of the shared document, or `nil` if it is the current user. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemOwnerNameComponentsKey`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemOwnerNameComponentsKey) The name components of the shared item’s owner, or `nil` if the current user is the owner. ### iCloud Download Status Values [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusCurrent`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusCurrent) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusDownloaded`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusDownloaded) [`NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusNotDownloaded`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousItemDownloadingStatusNotDownloaded) ### iCloud Sharing Permissions Values [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemPermissionsReadOnly`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemPermissionsReadOnly) The current user is only allowed to read this item. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemPermissionsReadWrite`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemPermissionsReadWrite) The current user is allowed to both read and write this item. ### iCloud Sharing Role Values [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemRoleOwner`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemRoleOwner) The current user is the owner of the shared item. [`NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemRoleParticipant`](/documentation/Foundation/NSMetadataUbiquitousSharedItemRoleParticipant) The current user is a participant of the shared item. ## Relationships ### Conforms To [`Hashable`](/documentation/Swift/Hashable) [`Equatable`](/documentation/Swift/Equatable) [`NSObjectProtocol`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObjectProtocol) [`CVarArg`](/documentation/Swift/CVarArg) [`CustomDebugStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomDebugStringConvertible) [`CustomStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomStringConvertible) ### Inherits From [`NSObject-swift.class`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class) --- 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)