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# propertyList()

Parses the receiver as a text representation of a property list, returning an `NSString`, `NSData`, `NSArray`, or `NSDictionary` object, according to the topmost element.

```
func propertyList() -> Any
```

## Return Value

A property list representation of returning an `NSString`, `NSData`, `NSArray`, or `NSDictionary` object, according to the topmost element.

## Discussion

The receiver must contain a string in a property list format. For a discussion of property list formats, see [Property List Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/PropertyLists/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000048i).

> Important:
> Raises an `NSParseErrorException` if the receiver cannot be parsed as a property list.

## See Also

[`string(withContentsOfFile:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/string(withContentsOfFile:))

Returns a string created by reading data from the file named by a given path.


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