Non-Required Fields

When you create a new record, a default value is inserted for any non-required fields with a default value defined in SQL Server.

Default values have no impact on required fields in the Platform.

Example

If you have a field Groups.Target_Size with a default value of 12, MinistryPlatform automatically inserts and saves 12 in the field if you leave it empty when you create a new Group record.

Side Effects

A User sees default values when they open a new record and can change the value before saving. In the previous example, the Group Target_Size would start as 12.

This can be useful for fields that you want to set with a specfic value and not leave blank. If you create custom fields, remember this if you add a default value.

Potential Errors

If a default is defined on a Foreign Key field and the default value doesn't not have a corresponding record in the related table, the following error can result:

Record Corresponding to provided identifier is not found: Parameter name: value

To fix this error, change the default value defined in the database.