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# read(fromFileURL:options:documentAttributes:)

Sets the contents of the receiver from the file at the given URL.

```
func read(fromFileURL url: URL, options opts: [AnyHashable : Any] = [:], documentAttributes dict: AutoreleasingUnsafeMutablePointer<NSDictionary?>?) throws
```

## Parameters

`url`

The location of the file providing text data.

`opts`

The option keys for importing the document. For a list of possible values, see “Option keys for importing documents” in [`NSAttributedString`](/documentation/Foundation/NSAttributedString).

`dict`

On return, contains the document attributes. For a list of possible values, see “Document Attributes” in [`NSAttributedString`](/documentation/Foundation/NSAttributedString).

## Discussion

For RTF formatted files, the contents of the file are appended to the previous string instead of replacing the previous string.

> Handling Errors in Swift:
> In Swift, this method returns `Void` and is marked with the `throws` keyword to indicate that it throws an error in cases of failure.
> 
> You call this method in a `try` expression and handle any errors in the `catch` clauses of a `do` statement, as described in [Error Handling](https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/LanguageGuide/ErrorHandling.html) in [The Swift Programming Language](https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/) and `About Imported Cocoa Error Parameters`.

---

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