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title: "pointer_default | Microsoft Docs"
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---
# pointer_default
Specifies the default pointer attribute for all pointers, except top-level pointers that appear in parameter lists.  
  
## Syntax  
  
```  
  
      [ pointer_default(  
   value  
) ]  
```  
  
#### Parameters  
 *value*  
 A value that describes the pointer type: **ptr**, `ref`, or **unique**.  
  
## Remarks  
 The **pointer_default** C++ attribute has the same functionality as the [pointer_default](http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/desktop/aa367141) MIDL attribute.  
  
## Example  
 See the example for [defaultvalue](../windows/defaultvalue.md) for a sample use of **pointer_default**.  
  
## Requirements  
  
### Attribute Context  
  
|||  
|-|-|  
|**Applies to**|`interface`|  
|**Repeatable**|No|  
|**Required attributes**|None|  
|**Invalid attributes**|None|  
  
 For more information about the attribute contexts, see [Attribute Contexts](../windows/attribute-contexts.md).  
  
## See Also  
 [IDL Attributes](../windows/idl-attributes.md)   
 [Interface Attributes](../windows/interface-attributes.md)