---
title: "attributedString(for:withDefaultAttributes:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "foundation/formatter/attributedstring(for:withdefaultattributes:)"
---

# attributedString(for:withDefaultAttributes:)

The default implementation returns nil to indicate that the formatter object does not provide an attributed string.

## Declaration

```swift
func attributedString(for obj: Any, withDefaultAttributes attrs: [NSAttributedString.Key : Any]? = nil) -> NSAttributedString?
```

## Parameters

- `obj`: The object for which a textual representation is returned.
- `attrs`: The default attributes to use for the returned attributed string.

## Return Value

Return Value An attributed string that represents anObject.

## Discussion

Discussion When implementing a subclass, return an NSAttributedString object if the string for display should have some attributes. For instance, you might want negative values in a financial application to appear in red text. Invoke your implementation of string(for:) to get the non-attributed string, then create an NSAttributedString object with it (see init(string:)). Use the attributes default dictionary to reset the attributes of the string when a change in value warrants it (for example, a negative value becomes positive) For information on creating attributed strings, see Attributed String Programming Guide.

## See Also

### Getting Textual Representations of Object Values

- [string(for:)](foundation/formatter/string(for:).md)
- [editingString(for:)](foundation/formatter/editingstring(for:).md)