Oracle Forms Developer – Form Builder Reference, Volume 1

Initial Value (Item) property
Description
Specifies the default value that Form Builder should assign to the item whenever a record is created. The
default value can be one of the following:
48
• raw value (216, ’TOKYO’)
• form item (:block_name.item_name)
• global variable (:GLOBAL.my_global)
• form parameter (:PARAMETER.my_param)
• a sequence (:SEQUENCE.my_seq.NEXTVAL)
Applies to check boxes, display items, list items, radio groups, text items, and user areas
Set Form Builder
Default
Null
Required/Optional Optional for all items except radio groups, check boxes, and list items.
For a radio group, a valid Initial Value is required unless
a) the radio group specifies Mapping of Other Values or,
b) the value associated with one of the radio buttons in the group is NULL.
For a list item, a valid Initial Value is required unless
a) the list item specifies Mapping of Other Values or,
b) the value associated with one of the list elements is NULL.
For a check box, a valid Initial Value is required unless
Usage Notes
a) the check box specifies Mapping of Other Values or,
b) the value associated with Checked or Unchecked is NULL.
• When using the default value to initialize the state of items such as check boxes, radio groups, or list
items, keep in mind that the default value does not get assigned until Form Builder creates a record
in the block.
Subordinate mirror items are initialized from the master mirror item’s Initial Value property. The ON-
SEQUENCE-NUMBER trigger is also taken from the master item. If the subordinate mirror item
specifies Initial Value and ON-SEQUENCE-NUMBER, Form Builder ignores them and issues a
warning.
At runtime, the initial value set by this property will be ignored if all of the following are true for the
item (or an item that mirrors it):
the item is a poplist, T-list, radio group, or check box