---
title: "showPreferences(_:)"
framework: InputMethodKit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
platforms: [macOS 10.5+]
path: "inputmethodkit/imkstatesetting/showpreferences(_:)"
---

# showPreferences(_:)

Displays a preferences window.

## Declaration

```swift
func showPreferences(_ sender: Any!)
```

## Parameters

- `sender`: The object sending the message to show the preference window.

## Discussion

Discussion This method looks for a nib file that contains a window controller class and a preferences utility. If found, it displays the window. To use this method you must create a menu item in your input method menu  whose action is showPreferences:. When a user selects that item, the Input Method Kit invokes your showPreferences: method. The default implementation looks for a nib file named preferences.nib. If found, it allocates a window controller class loads the nib file. You can provide a custom window controller class by naming the class in your input method info.plist file, providing a key-value pair. The key must be InputMethodServerPreferencesWindowControllerClass  and the associated value must be the name of your custom class.