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  "identifier" : "/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutManager/temporaryAttribute(_:atCharacterIndex:longestEffectiveRange:in:)",
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  "title" : "temporaryAttribute(_:atCharacterIndex:longestEffectiveRange:in:)"
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# temporaryAttribute(_:atCharacterIndex:longestEffectiveRange:in:)

Returns the value for the temporary attribute of a character, and the maximum range it applies to.

```
func temporaryAttribute(_ attrName: NSAttributedString.Key, atCharacterIndex location: Int, longestEffectiveRange range: NSRangePointer?, in rangeLimit: NSRange) -> Any?
```

## Parameters

`attrName`

The name of a temporary attribute.

`location`

The index for which to return attributes. This value must not exceed the bounds of the receiver.

`range`

If non-`NULL`:

- If the named attribute exists at `location`, on output, contains the maximum range over which the named attribute’s value applies, clipped to `rangeLimit`.
- If the named attribute does not exist at `location`, on output, contains the maximum range over which the attribute does not exist.

    If you don’t need this value, pass     `NULL`    .

`rangeLimit`

The range over which to search for continuous presence of `attrName`. This value must not exceed the bounds of the receiver.

## Return Value

The value for the attribute named `attrName` of the character at `location`, or `nil` if there is no such attribute.

## Discussion

If you don’t need the longest effective range, it’s far more efficient to use the [`temporaryAttribute(_:atCharacterIndex:effectiveRange:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutManager/temporaryAttribute(_:atCharacterIndex:effectiveRange:)) method to retrieve the attribute value.

---

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