Setting date/time field using business rule only if the field is blank

[Debbi L]

I'm attempting to set a "start date" date/time field to the current date/time based upon the criteria that one field is true, and the "start date" field is empty. I've been able to make it set the date/time initially (that part works perfectly); however, every time I send a new update, it changes the date to the current time, even though the "start date" field is populated. I've done an exhaustive search, and can find nothing that remediates this. Help!

I'm sure I'm missing something simple. This is the relevant code:

__________

When: Before, on Insert or Update

I've done this with and without filter conditions: Send to Legal is true, Legal start date is empty

_________

(function executeRule(current, previous /*null when async*/) {

if (current.send_to_legal=='true' && (!current.legal_start_date.nil())) {

current.legal_start_date = gs.nowDateTime();
}

})(current, previous);

[palmen]

Use debug all and set field watcher to this field to see what is happening.

[Debbi L]

Did that, and saw...nothing relevant.

0:55:17 (385)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.doadded render event for ui_policy_onLoad

10:55:17 (390)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.257] form rendered

10:55:17 (539)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.dorunning inline scripts, count: 0

10:55:17 (540)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.dorunBeforeRender

10:55:17 (560)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.003] Stop Time Worked Timer

10:55:17 (561)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.000] onLoad calcReturn

10:55:17 (562)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.doGlideTabs2 findTabIndexByID could not find x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.REL:8f576281c3100200e280dccdf3d3aed8

10:55:17 (562)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.001] onLoad Hide related lists

10:55:17 (562)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.000] onLoad Hide doc_id if Parent filled

10:55:17 (563)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.001] CS - Remove Closed State from Selection

10:55:17 (575)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.011] CS short_description info bar

10:55:17 (577)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.001] onLoad Modify Comments Label

10:55:17 (593)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.013] ui_policy loaded

10:55:17 (596)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.dorunAfterAllLoaded, functions: 53

10:55:17 (665)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.dofireAllChangeHandlers start

10:55:17 (666)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.dofireAllChangeHandlers end

10:55:17 (680)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.dolate load functions: 7

10:55:17 (756)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.doClearing event handlers reference cache

10:55:17 (757)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.162] runAfterAllLoaded finished

10:55:18 (060)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.doafter page loaded starting

10:55:18 (075)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.014] GwtListEditor onTableLoad, tables examined: 4

10:55:18 (088)x_ccir_contracts_contract_services.do[00:00:00.028] after page loaded complete, functions called: 9

[Allen Andreas]

Yea, however, I'm confused and we just need to change it, lol. So make it work with == ''. 

[Debbi L]

So, final update...

All of your suggestions worked. It was the field that was wonky (and I still don't know why). I created a new date/time field, plugged it into the old Business Rule, and everything works like a charm. I'm chalking this up to ghosts in the machine.

Thank you all for your time and expertise!

-Debbi

[Allen Andreas]

Yea...I figured it was something else. Ideally you would pick the first response that was the right answer as that right answer, but at least if you can, please mark all replies that were helpful to you as helpful.

Pretty sure you got about 4 responses all within 10 minutes, but some came in with more information than others. Up to you.

In the end, it works. Glad for that!