---
title: "data(forKey:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "foundation/userdefaults/data(forkey:)"
---

# data(forKey:)

Returns the data object associated with the specified key.

## Declaration

```swift
func data(forKey defaultName: String) -> Data?
```

## Parameters

- `defaultName`: The key to retrieve from the defaults database.

## Return Value

Return Value The data object associated with defaultName, or nil if the key isn’t present in the defaults database. This method also returns nil if the retrieved value isn’t a data object.

## Discussion

Discussion The returned object is immutable, even if you originally set the key to a mutable value.

## See Also

### Getting the value of a key

- [bool(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/bool(forkey:).md)
- [integer(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/integer(forkey:).md)
- [float(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/float(forkey:).md)
- [double(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/double(forkey:).md)
- [url(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/url(forkey:).md)
- [string(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/string(forkey:).md)
- [stringArray(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/stringarray(forkey:).md)
- [object(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/object(forkey:).md)
- [array(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/array(forkey:).md)
- [dictionary(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/dictionary(forkey:).md)
- [dictionaryRepresentation()](foundation/userdefaults/dictionaryrepresentation().md)