---
sourceDocument: Yokohama ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/platform-administration

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Specify a default field value

# Specify a default field value {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

A default value populates a value in a field when a new record is
created.

## Before you begin

Role required: personalize_dictionary

## About this task

The default value populates the field on the blank form for a new record, and also
subsequently when the new record is submitted if the field is empty. Default values
can be specified as either a constant or generated through script.

## Procedure

1. Right-click the field's label in the form and select Configure Dictionary.
2. Enter the default value in the Default value field.  
   To set a constant value, type it into the Default value text box field. To assign a default value using a more complex formula, use JavaScript to output a default value.  
   Note:  
   The default value should be the underlying value that would be present in the field, not the label. For example, in a choice list field, use the value of the choice as the default value, not the choice's name.

## Default field value examples {#ariaid-title2}

Review the following examples about specifying default field values.  

### Constant default values

Here is an example that sets a default value for the Priority field.Figure 1. Default value constant  

### Javascript default values

To view out-of-box examples of JavaScript default values, navigate to System DefinitionDictionary and enter this filter: \[Default value\] \[starts with\] \[javascript\]. Open some of the records and view the default value javascript
entries.  

### Set a default value for assignment_group

The following example sets a default value in a \[sys_user_group\] reference field by getting the ID from the name of a group.

    javascript:GetIDValue('sys_user_group', 'Development');

### Set a default value for assigned_to if user has the itil role

This example for the Task \[task\] table describes how to configure the default value for the \[assigned_to\] user equal to the current user id if the user has a role of itil.

* Column label: Assigned to
* Column name: \[assigned_to\]
* Reference Specification section
  * Reference: User \[sys_user\]
  * Reference qual condition: \[Roles\] \[is\] \[itil\]
  {#default-field-value-examples__ul_hyd_xn5_qt}
* Default value script:  

      javascript:if (gs.hasRole("itil"))current.assigned_to = gs.getUserID();

{#default-field-value-examples__ul_ttn_qn5_qt}  

### Set a default value for a duration field

To set a default value for a duration field, use the following in the Default value field of the duration field's dictionary entry:

    javascript:current.duration_field.setDisplayValue('3 04:30:14');

Avoid hard-coding a particular date-time. If the system date-time format changes, the value
becomes invalid. Instead, select the Use dynamic default check box
and assign a dynamic filter option. For more information on dynamic filters, see [Create a dynamic filter option](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_DynamicFilterOptions&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US)
.

*[\>]: and then