attributedStringValue

AttributedStringValue is a property used in macOS AppKit to access or assign the text of a control as an NSAttributedString. It stores both the characters and their formatting, such as font, color, or other text attributes. This contrasts with stringValue, which exposes plain text as a Swift String. Reading attributedStringValue returns the current attributed content shown by the control, while writing to it updates the display with the specified styling.

The property is commonly used with text-based controls such as NSTextField and related NSControl subclasses. By setting an NSAttributedString, developers can display mixed styles within a single control (for example, different colors within one line) or apply attributes programmatically. If a control supports it, the user may also edit or preserve text attributes at runtime.

Usage pattern typically involves creating an NSAttributedString with the desired attributes and assigning it to the control's attributedStringValue. For example, one might construct an attributed string with a specific foreground color and font and assign it to a text field to render styled text.

Limitations include that not all controls or configurations will honor attributedStringValue; some may fall back to plain text or ignore attributes. In such cases stringValue remains the relevant property to read or set. For UIKit on iOS, similar concerns apply with different APIs, but attributed rendering of text is handled through attributedText or similar mechanisms.