---
title: "DCSGetTermRangeInString(_:_:_:)"
framework: coreservices
role: symbol
role_heading: Function
path: coreservices/1450556-dcsgettermrangeinstring
---

# DCSGetTermRangeInString(_:_:_:)

Determines the range of the longest word or phrase with respect to an offset.

## Declaration

```swift
func DCSGetTermRangeInString(_ dictionary: DCSDictionary?, _ textString: CFString, _ offset: CFIndex) -> CFRange
```

## Parameters

- `dictionary`: This parameter is reserved for future use, so pass NULL. Dictionary Services searches in all active dictionaries.
- `textString`: Text that contains the word or phrase to look up.
- `offset`: A character offset in the textString parameter.

## Return Value

Return Value The range that specifies the location, around the specified offset, of the word or phrase , or the constant kCFNotFound.

## Discussion

Discussion You can use this function to determine the range of text that contains a word or phrase. After you determine the range, you can pass the result to the  functions DCSCopyTextDefinition(_:_:_:) and HIDictionaryWindowShow(_:_:_:_:_:_:_:). To see how this works, follow these steps: In macOS 10.5 or later, open Text Edit. Type It is a foggy day in San Francisco, California. Control-click Francisco (don’t select it). Then, choose “Lookup in Dictionary”. Note that the Dictionary window appears with a definition of San Francisco. The function  DCSGetTermRangeInString automatically detected the range of the phrase San Francisco, using Francisco as the text string to search for and a character offset in this string. The function expanded the range until it found a possible match. You can also point the cursor at the word Francisco and, without making a selection or clicking, type Command-Control-D.  DCSGetTermRangeInString detects the range.  The function DCSGetTermRangeInString only returns the range. You must call DCSCopyTextDefinition(_:_:_:) to copy the definition and HIDictionaryWindowShow(_:_:_:_:_:_:_:) to display the definition in a Dictionary window.

## See Also

### Related Documentation

- [Dictionary Services Programming Guide](apple-archive/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/DictionaryServicesProgGuide/Introduction.md)