---
title: "firstMatch(in:options:range:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "foundation/nsregularexpression/firstmatch(in:options:range:)"
---

# firstMatch(in:options:range:)

Returns the first match of the regular expression within the specified range of the string.

## Declaration

```swift
func firstMatch(in string: String, options: NSRegularExpression.MatchingOptions = [], range: NSRange) -> NSTextCheckingResult?
```

## Parameters

- `string`: The string to search.
- `options`: The matching options to use. See doc://com.apple.foundation/documentation/Foundation/NSRegularExpression/MatchingOptions for possible values.
- `range`: The range of the string to search.

## Return Value

Return Value An NSTextCheckingResult object. This result gives the overall matched range via its range property, and the range of each individual capture group via its range(at:) method. The range {NSNotFound, 0} is returned if one of the capture groups did not participate in this particular match.

## Discussion

Discussion This is a convenience method that calls enumerateMatches(in:options:range:using:).

## See Also

### Searching Strings Using Regular Expressions

- [numberOfMatches(in:options:range:)](foundation/nsregularexpression/numberofmatches(in:options:range:).md)
- [enumerateMatches(in:options:range:using:)](foundation/nsregularexpression/enumeratematches(in:options:range:using:).md)
- [matches(in:options:range:)](foundation/nsregularexpression/matches(in:options:range:).md)
- [rangeOfFirstMatch(in:options:range:)](foundation/nsregularexpression/rangeoffirstmatch(in:options:range:).md)