# shouldDelayWindowOrdering(for:) Allows the user to drag objects from the view without activating the app or moving the window of the view forward, possibly obscuring the destination. ``` func shouldDelayWindowOrdering(for event: NSEvent) -> Bool ``` ## Parameters `event` An object representing an initial mouse-down event. ## Return Value If this method returns , the normal window-ordering and activation mechanism is delayed (not necessarily prevented) until the next mouse-up event. If it returns , then normal ordering and activation occur. ## Discussion Never invoke this method directly; it’s invoked automatically for each mouse-down event directed at the NSView. An `NSView` subclass that allows dragging should implement this method to return if `theEvent` is potentially the beginning of a dragging session or of some other context where window ordering isn’t appropriate. This method is invoked before a [`mouseDown(with:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSResponder/mouseDown(with:)) message for `theEvent` is sent. The default implementation returns . If, after delaying window ordering, the view actually initiates a dragging session or similar operation, it should also send a [`preventWindowOrdering()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSApplication/preventWindowOrdering()) message to `NSApp`, which completely prevents the window from ordering forward and the activation from becoming active. [`preventWindowOrdering()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSApplication/preventWindowOrdering()) is sent automatically by the `dragImage:` and `dragFile:` methods of `NSView`. ## See Also [`dragImage:at:offset:event:pasteboard:source:slideBack:`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView/dragImage:at:offset:event:pasteboard:source:slideBack:) Initiates a dragging operation from the view, allowing the user to drag arbitrary data with a specified icon into any application that has window or view objects that accept dragged data. --- Copyright © 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)