---
title: prototype
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: appkit/nsmatrix/prototype
---

# prototype

The prototype cell that’s copied whenever the matrix creates a new cell.

## Declaration

```swift
@NSCopying var prototype: NSCell? { get set }
```

## Discussion

Discussion When the value of this property is nil, there is no prototype cell.

## See Also

### Related Documentation

- [init(frame:mode:prototype:numberOfRows:numberOfColumns:)](appkit/nsmatrix/init(frame:mode:prototype:numberofrows:numberofcolumns:).md)
- [makeCell(atRow:column:)](appkit/nsmatrix/makecell(atrow:column:).md)

### Managing the Cell Class

- [cellClass](appkit/nsmatrix/cellclass.md)