---
title: effectiveAppearance
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: appkit/nsappearancecustomization/effectiveappearance
---

# effectiveAppearance

The appearance that will be used when the receiver is drawn onscreen, in an NSAppearance object. (read-only)

## Declaration

```swift
var effectiveAppearance: NSAppearance { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion The default value for this property is provided by the nearest ancestor of the receiver that has set an appearance. You can use this property to ensure that an offscreen view sets the appropriate current appearance when it draws onscreen.

## See Also

### Getting and Setting Appearance

- [Choosing a Specific Appearance for Your macOS App](appkit/choosing-a-specific-appearance-for-your-macos-app.md)
- [appearance](appkit/nsappearancecustomization/appearance.md)