Setting Default Values in Salesforce Picklist Field

In this Salesforce Tutorial, we will learn the setting up of Default Values in the Salesforce Picklist Field. In addition, we will also explore the steps to set up default picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic.

As we know the picklist field in Salesforce is a great tool for maintaining data consistency. It becomes more efficient if we set the default value that will automatically fill the value on the field.

So, if you want to learn how to set default picklist value in Salesforce for both newly created and pre-existing fields, you have come to the right place.

The following are the topics that we will cover in this salesforce tutorial:

• Default Values in Salesforce Picklist Field
• Default picklist value in Salesforce Lightning
• Default picklist value in Salesforce Classic

Default Values in Salesforce Picklist Field

Salesforce picklist default values are pre-selected options that are automatically filled. It reduces the need for manual data entry and also the data entry errors.

In addition, it helps to ensure data consistency and guarantee data integrity. Even we can speedily enter the data values in the fields.

With this, we have learned about default values in the Salesforce Picklist field. Now, we will proceed and learn the steps to set up the default picklist value in Salesforce Lightning.

Default picklist value in Salesforce Lightning

In Salesforce Lightning, when we are creating a new record, the pre-selected value that displays in a picklist field is known as “Default Picklist Value”.

The following are the two scenarios when we need to set the default picklist value:

When creating a new Picklist Field: Whenever a new picklist field is created, we can specify a default value. To do this, we chose the multiple-choice option “Use first value as default value“. It automatically set up the first of the list to default.

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For an existing Picklist Field: We may also specify a default value for a picklist field that already exists. To do this, we click on the “Make this value the default for the master picklist” with respect to a specific picklist field whose default value we wish to change or set.

With this, we had a general understanding of Salesforce Lightning’s default picklist value. Now, we will proceed and learn each scenario in detail using an example.

Read How to Rearrange the Picklist Values in Salesforce

When creating a new Picklist Field

Here, are the steps to create a new picklist field with values and set up one of the field values as default.

Step 1: First, log in to Salesforce Lightning mode, for this navigate to the right corner of the page, click on the “Gear” icon, and from the dropdown menu select “Setup”.

Step 2: Click “Object Manager” from the menu’s left side.

Step 3: Find the object for which we want to create a new picklist field with the default picklist value. In this case, I want to create a picklist field with the default value for the “Order” object.

Step 4: After finding the object, click on it. Here, I clicked on the “Order” object.

Step 5: Now, from the menu’s left side click on the “Field & Relationships” option.

Step 6: Next, click “New” to add an entirely new custom picklist field and set up the default value.

Step 7: Choose “Picklist” as the field type and then click on the “Next” button.

Step 8: Now, enter the “Field Label” and the “Field Name” will be filled in automatically. Here, I enter the field label “Approval Status”.

Step 9: To enter the picklist values, click on the radio button next to “Enter values, with each value separated by a new line” located in the “Values” section.

Step 10: Enter the picklist values, in the box that appeared. Here I set the values such as “Pending”, “Approved”, “Rejected”, etc.

Step 11: Next to it, there are three checkboxes with multiple options which are as:

• Display values alphabetically, not in the order entered
• Use first value as default value
• Restrict picklist to the values defined in the value set

Here, I select the checkbox “Use first value as default value” as we want to set the default value for the picklist field. This option allows us to set the first entered picklist value as the default one.

Note: If you enter a valid Default Value formula, it overrides this setting.

Step 12: If, you want to add the “Description”, and “Help Text” and want to make this field “Required” fill out these fields otherwise left blank.

Step 13: To proceed, click “Next”.

Step 14: Now, select the suitable field-level security. Here, I want it to be set for all the profiles, so I clicked on the checkbox next to “Visible”.

Step 15: Click the “Next” button to continue.

Step 16: Choose the page layout on which we want to show the custom field.

Step 17: Click the “Save” button to finish the process of creating the new picklist field with a default value.

With this, we have successfully created a new picklist field in Salesforce Lightning Component with a default value. Now, we will proceed and learn to set up the default value for the existing picklist field.

Read Salesforce Picklist Default Value Formula

For existing Picklist Field

Here, are the steps to set a default value in the existing picklist field.

Step 1: Log in to Salesforce Lightning mode, by moving to the page’s upper right corner. Click the “Gear Icon”, and then click “Setup” from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: From the left side of the menu, click “Object Manager”.

Step 3: Locate the object for which we want to set the default value for the picklist field. In this instance, I choose to set the default value for the “Lead” object.

Step 4: Click the item once we’ve located it. I selected “Lead” here.

Step 5: Next, select “Field & Relationships” from the menu’s left-hand side.

Step 6: Now, search for the field, to whom you want to set the default value. In this case, I want to set the default value for the pronouns field, so click on “Pronouns”.

Step 7: It will redirect to “Lead Field Pronouns”, now scroll down to the “Pronouns Picklist Values” and click on the “Edit” option of the picklist value to whom you want to set as the default value. Here, I want to set the “She” value as the default one.

Step 8: After clicking on the edit option, we will prompt to the “Picklist Edit Pronouns”.

Step 9: To set the “She” as the default value, check the “Default” checkbox.

Step 10: To finally save this picklist value as default, click on the “Save” button.

With this, we have learned the process to set up the default value for the existing picklist field. Now, we will proceed and learn the default picklist value in Salesforce Classic.

Read How to set default value in Salesforce global picklist

Default picklist value in Salesforce Classic

The default picklist value that appears in a picklist field when creating a new record in Salesforce Classic is referred to as “Default Picklist Value”.

Every time a new picklist field is created, we have the option to select a default value. For this, we check the multiple-choice option, “Use first value as default value”. And the first value on the list was automatically set as the default.

For a picklist field that already exists, we may also give a default value. For this, we click on the “Make this value the default for the master picklist” button.

Now, that we know what Salesforce Classic’s default picklist value is. Moving forward, we’ll go through each scenario in detail and with an example.

When creating a new Picklist Field

Here, are the steps to create a new picklist field and set up the first value as the default value in Salesforce Classic.

Step 1: First, we need to log in to Salesforce Classic. For this, click on “Avatar” and select “Switch to Salesforce Classic”.

Step 2: After that, click on the “Setup” option.

Step 3: Now, scroll down to the “Build” section. Then under “Customize”, select the object for whom we want to create a picklist field with the default value. Here, I choose the “Contract” object.

Step 4: Click on the “Fields” option to create a new field in the selected object.

Step 5: Now, scroll down to the page, and click on the “New” button located in the “Custom Fields & Relationships” section.

Step 6: Choose the field type as “Picklist” and click on the “Next” button.

Step 7: Enter the “Field Label” and the “Field Name” will be automatically populated. Here, I set the “Field Label” to “Contract Type”.

Step 8: Now, in the “Values” section, check the radio button in front of “Enter values, with each value separated by a new line”.

Step 9: On the click, it will be prompted the box, where we add the picklist values. Here, I enter picklist values such as Master Services Agreement, Statement of Work, and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Step 10: Following it, we have three different checkboxes as defined below.

• Display values alphabetically, not in the order entered
• Use first value as default value
• Restrict picklist to the values defined in the value set

Here, I select the “Use first value as default value” checkbox, as we want to set the first value list as the default value of the picklist field.

Step 11: Optionally, we can add “Description” and “Help Text” if we want. Even have the provision, to make this custom field required, If you want click on the checkbox next to “Required”.

Step 12: Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.

Step 13: Now, establish field-level security. Here, I want to set it for all the profiles, so click on the checkbox next to “Visible” to set it for all.

Step 14: To move to the next step, click on the “Next” button.

Step 15: In this step, we have to add the field to the page layout, and select the pages in which we want to add.

Step 16: To successfully create a custom picklist field with a default value, click on the “Save” button.

With this, we have successfully created a new picklist field in Salesforce Classic Component with a default value. Now, we will proceed and learn to set up the default value for the existing picklist field.

For existing Picklist Field

Here, are the steps to set a default value in the existing picklist field in the classic edition of Salesforce.

Step 1: We must first log into Salesforce Classic. To do this, select “Switch to Salesforce Classic” from the “Avatar” menu.

Step 2: Next, select “Setup” from the menu.

Step 3: Go the the “Build” section by scrolling down. Next, click “Customize” and choose the item for which we want to set a default value for a picklist field. In this case, I click the “Contacts” object.

Step 4: Click on the “Fields” option to select the existing picklist field whose value we want to set as default.

Step 5: Now, choose the existing picklist field whose value we want to set as default from the “Standard Fields” or “Custom Field”. Here, I select the “Gender Identity” from the “Contact Standard Fields”.

Step 6: After clicking on the “Gender Identity” field we will redirect to the “Contact Field Gender Identity” page. Now, scroll down to the “Gender Identity Picklist Values” section.

Step 7: Select the picklist value, that we want to set as a default value. In this case, I select the “Male” value.

Step 8: Click on the “Edit” option in front of the “Male” value. After clicking on the edit option, we will prompt to the “Picklist Edit Gender Identity”.

Step 9: To set the “Male” as the default value, check the “Default” checkbox.

Step 10: To finally save this picklist value as default, click on the “Save” button.

With this, we have learned the process to set up the default value for the existing picklist field in Salesforce Classic.

Conclusion

With this, we have learned to set default values in Salesforce Picklist Field. In addition, we have learned the procedure of setting default picklist values in Salesforce Lightning and in Salesforce Classic.

Moreover, we have also covered the two scenarios when we need to set the picklist value as a default one. Furthermore, the following are the topics that we have discussed:

• Default Values in Salesforce Picklist Field
• Default picklist value in Salesforce Lightning
• Default picklist value in Salesforce Classic

You may also like to read the following articles:

• Create Custom Picklist Field in Salesforce
• How to add Picklist Values in Salesforce
• How to Set up Case Team Roles in Salesforce