Sync error : 01/01/1900 … in field ‘Order’ cannot be converted to type ‘Number’

[JeeHill]

Setup
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Table : Tasks
Slice : TasksActiveOnly (used by a Detail / Quick-Edit view)

Key columns
• TaskID (Key)
• Order (Number) – used only for sorting
• Deadline, Start date, End date, Description, …

View settings
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– The slice **includes** column Order, but in the view:
Show? = FALSE
Editable? = FALSE
– User opens the task, edits Deadline / Description, taps Save.

Workflow
--------
Save triggers a **Data: set the values of some columns** action.
Order is **not** listed in that action.

Issue
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During the next sync the backend throws:

Value '01/01/1900 00:00:00' in field 'Order' cannot be converted to type 'Number'

Audit log shows the update payload with
`"Order": ""`
—even though the database had a valid number before the edit.

Questions
---------
1. Why is Order, although present in the slice, sent as blank when it’s hidden and untouched?
2. Best practice to keep the existing Order value (without showing or editing it) when using a “set the values of some columns” action?

Any insight appreciated. Thanks!

Jee

[JeeHill]

Hi everyone,

When I use an action Data › set the values of some columns I only list the columns that really need to change.
If a field of type Number (Required = TRUE) is not in that list, the update occasionally fails with

… Value '01/01/1900 00:00:00' in field 'X' cannot be converted to type 'Number'

Looks as if an empty string is sent and then converted to the Excel “zero-date”.

• Is this the expected behaviour?

• Do you routinely add NumberField = [NumberField] for every required numeric column, or do you switch Required to FALSE?

• Any best-practice to avoid bloated payloads but keep existing values untouched?

Thanks for your insight!
Jee