---
title: "baseWritingDirection(for:in:)"
framework: uikit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "uikit/uitextinput/basewritingdirection(for:in:)"
---

# baseWritingDirection(for:in:)

Returns the base writing direction for a position in the text going in a certain direction.

## Declaration

```swift
func baseWritingDirection(for position: UITextPosition, in direction: UITextStorageDirection) -> NSWritingDirection
```

## Parameters

- `position`: An object that identifies a location in a document.
- `direction`: A constant that indicates a direction of storage (forward or backward).

## Return Value

Return Value A constant that represents a writing direction (for example, left-to-right or right-to-left).

## Discussion

Discussion The base writing direction is set previously when the text input system sends a setBaseWritingDirection(_:for:) message to the conforming document object.

## See Also

### Determining layout and writing direction

- [position(within:farthestIn:)](uikit/uitextinput/position(within:farthestin:).md)
- [characterRange(byExtending:in:)](uikit/uitextinput/characterrange(byextending:in:).md)
- [setBaseWritingDirection(_:for:)](uikit/uitextinput/setbasewritingdirection(_:for:).md)