Decimal Value of 0 showing in data when not supposed to

[Rodney_Reid]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I'm finding that when I have a field with a type of Decimal it automatically pre-populates the data field with a zero (0) value even if one sets the initial value as ""(Blank). I've tried using IF functions to check that if a certain value does not match then a blank must be inserted instead of a 0 but it's still pre-populating with a 0 value. Normally this wouldn't be an issue but since the data needs to show in a report that gets pulled into a PDF I would prefer not for it to show.

Any suggestions or workaround?

[WillowMobileSys]

In the Form view, it SEEMS to be pre-populated with a value BUT in fact it is just an "example" value.  I do agree the contrast between the "example" value and an actual entered value is not sufficient.  But if you look closely, the "example" value is slightly greyed. 

Unfortunately, there is NO way to eliminate the "example" value altogether. If the column is blank, the "example" value will show.

If no Initial Value is set AND the column is NOT required, then Saving the row with NO interaction in a Decimal column will save it is as an empty string ("").  It will show as blank in all other views.

FYI, if you need to RESET a decimal value to blank you would need to use the function DECIMAL("").  (This will not work in the Initial Value, I tried)

[Rodney_Reid · Accepted solution]

Thanks Willow - 

I actually found a simple workaround to this. 

I created a virtual column with the formula IF([EXPRESSION]=0,"",[EXPRESSION]) and used that column as a tag in the PDF report, and the tag in the PDF shows a value of ""(blank) when generated.