---
title: startIndex
framework: swift
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: swift/string/unicodescalarview/startindex
---

# startIndex

The position of the first Unicode scalar value if the string is nonempty.

## Declaration

```swift
var startIndex: String.UnicodeScalarView.Index { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion If the string is empty, startIndex is equal to endIndex.