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# data(fromPropertyList:format:options:)

Returns an `NSData` object containing a given property list in a specified format.

```
class func data(fromPropertyList plist: Any, format: PropertyListSerialization.PropertyListFormat, options opt: PropertyListSerialization.WriteOptions) throws -> Data
```

## Parameters

`plist`

A property list object.

`format`

A property list format. For possible values, see [`PropertyListSerialization.PropertyListFormat`](/documentation/Foundation/PropertyListSerialization/PropertyListFormat).

`opt`

The `opt` parameter is currently unused. No options should be specified.

## Return Value

An `NSData` object containing `plist` in the format specified by `format`.

## Discussion

> Handling Errors in Swift:
> In Swift, this method returns a nonoptional result 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`.

## See Also

  [Archives and Serializations Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/Archiving/Archiving.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000047i)

  [Property List Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/PropertyLists/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000048i)


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