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# firstMatch(in:options:range:)

Returns the first match of the regular expression within the specified range of the string.

```
func firstMatch(in string: String, options: NSRegularExpression.MatchingOptions = [], range: NSRange) -> NSTextCheckingResult?
```

## Parameters

`string`

The string to search.

`options`

The matching options to use. See [`NSRegularExpression.MatchingOptions`](/documentation/Foundation/NSRegularExpression/MatchingOptions) for possible values.

`range`

The range of the string to search.

## Return Value

An [`NSTextCheckingResult`](/documentation/Foundation/NSTextCheckingResult) object. This result gives the overall matched range via its [`range`](/documentation/Foundation/NSTextCheckingResult/range) property, and the range of each individual capture group via its [`range(at:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSTextCheckingResult/range(at:)) method. The range {`NSNotFound`, 0} is returned if one of the capture groups did not participate in this particular match.

## Discussion

This is a convenience method that calls [`enumerateMatches(in:options:range:using:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSRegularExpression/enumerateMatches(in:options:range:using:)).

---

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