---
title: "outlineView(_:dataCellFor:item:)"
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "appkit/nsoutlineviewdelegate/outlineview(_:datacellfor:item:)"
---

# outlineView(_:dataCellFor:item:)

Returns the cell to use in a given column for a given item.

## Declaration

```swift
@MainActor optional func outlineView(_ outlineView: NSOutlineView, dataCellFor tableColumn: NSTableColumn?, item: Any) -> NSCell?
```

## Parameters

- `outlineView`: The outline view that sent the message.
- `tableColumn`: The table column that requires the cell. This value can be nil.
- `item`: The item that requires the cell.

## Return Value

Return Value The cell to use in column tableColumn for item item, or nil. Because the outline view might copy the cell, the cell must properly implement copyWithZone:.

## Discussion

Discussion You can return a different data cell for any table column and item combination. Alternatively, you can return a full-width cell for the entire row. If tableColumn is non-nil, you can return a cell. In most cases, however, you default to returning the result from tableView(_:dataCellFor:row:). At the time of drawing, the outline view calls each row identified by item with a nil value for tableColumn. At this point, you can return a cell that the system can use to draw the entire row, acting as a group. If you return a cell for the nil table column, prepare the other corresponding data source implementations and delegate methods to accept a nil value for tableColumn. If you don’t return a cell for the nil table column, the outline view calls this method once for each column, as usual.

## See Also

### Displaying Cells

- [outlineView(_:willDisplayCell:for:item:)](appkit/nsoutlineviewdelegate/outlineview(_:willdisplaycell:for:item:).md)
- [outlineView(_:willDisplayOutlineCell:for:item:)](appkit/nsoutlineviewdelegate/outlineview(_:willdisplayoutlinecell:for:item:).md)
- [outlineView(_:shouldShowOutlineCellForItem:)](appkit/nsoutlineviewdelegate/outlineview(_:shouldshowoutlinecellforitem:).md)
- [outlineView(_:shouldShowCellExpansionFor:item:)](appkit/nsoutlineviewdelegate/outlineview(_:shouldshowcellexpansionfor:item:).md)