---
title: "CGImageMetadataCopyStringValueWithPath(_:_:_:)"
framework: imageio
role: symbol
role_heading: Function
path: "imageio/cgimagemetadatacopystringvaluewithpath(_:_:_:)"
---

# CGImageMetadataCopyStringValueWithPath(_:_:_:)

Searches the metadata for the specified tag, and returns its string value if it exists.

## Declaration

```swift
func CGImageMetadataCopyStringValueWithPath(_ metadata: CGImageMetadata, _ parent: CGImageMetadataTag?, _ path: CFString) -> CFString?
```

## Parameters

- `metadata`: The metadata object to search.
- `parent`: The parent tag, if any. Specify NULL to start the search in the top-level tags of the metadata object. If this parameter is NULL, you must include a valid prefix string in the path parameter.
- `path`: A string that represents the path to the tag. A path consists of the tag’s name, plus optional prefix and parent information. Separate prefix information from other path information using a colon (:) character. Separate parent and child tags using the period (.) character. For example, the string “exif:Flash.RedEyeMode” represents the path to the RedEyeMode field of the Flash parent structure in the EXIF metadata. When a tag contains an ordered or unordered array, specify elements using a 0-based index inside square brackets. For example, use the string “dc.subject[2]” to access the third element in the subject array. When the tag contains an alternate-text array, access elements using an RFC 3066 language code inside square brackets. For example, use the string “dc.description[de]” to access the German description information. Use the ? character to delimit qualifiers for tags with string values. You may not use this character for arrays and structures.

## Return Value

Return Value The string value for the specified tag, or NULL if the tag wasn’t found or doesn’t contain a string value.

## Discussion

Discussion The XMP type of the property at the specified path must be CGImageMetadataType.string or CGImageMetadataType.alternateText. If the property contains alternate text, this function returns the element with the x-default language qualifier.

## See Also

### Getting the Metadata Tags

- [CGImageMetadataCopyTagWithPath(_:_:_:)](imageio/cgimagemetadatacopytagwithpath(_:_:_:).md)
- [CGImageMetadataCopyTags(_:)](imageio/cgimagemetadatacopytags(_:).md)
- [CGImageMetadataCopyTagMatchingImageProperty(_:_:_:)](imageio/cgimagemetadatacopytagmatchingimageproperty(_:_:_:).md)