<!--
{
  "availability" : [

  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "QuickTime File Format",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Reference_movie_data_reference_atom/Data_reference",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Data field",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Data field",
    "modules" : [
      "QuickTime File Format"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "__docc_universal_symbol_reference_$Reference_movie_data_reference_atom_Data_reference"
  },
  "title" : "Data reference"
}
-->

# Data reference

A data reference to a QuickTime movie, or to a stream or file that QuickTime can play.

## Overview

If the reference type is `'alis'` this field contains the contents of an `AliasHandle`. If the reference type is `'url '` this field contains a NULL-terminated string that can be interpreted as a URL. The URL can be absolute or relative, and can specify any protocol that QuickTime supports, including `http://`, `ftp://`, `rtsp://`, `file:///`, and `data:`.

---

Copyright &copy; 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)