nvl

First determines if the value of the first parameter is null. If it is, it returns the value of the second parameter.

Syntax

nvl(expr1, expr2)

Enabled For

For a description of the business object categories, see Notes on "Enabled For".

Business Object Category Yes/No
Business Rules: Before-Save Rules Yes
Business Rules: Calculation Rules (After Save, with or without Also Recalculate on Load) Yes
Business Rules: Calculation Rules (Before Save or Always, without Also Recalculate On Load) Yes
Business Rules: Calculation Rules (Before Save or Always, with Recalculate On Load) Yes
Business Rules: Editing Rules Yes
Business Rules: Initialization Rules Yes
Business Rules: Read Only Rules Yes
Business Rules: Required Rules Yes
Business Rules: Validation Rules Yes
Client Expressions Yes
Object Permissions Yes
Services Yes
LDAP Yes
Mobile Yes
Quick Actions (except UI Quick Actions) Yes
UI Quick Actions Yes
Reports Yes
Search/Dashboard without field references Yes
Search/Dashboard with field references Yes

Parameters

Parameter Description

expr1

The first expression.

expr2

The second expression.

Return Value

Text value:

  • Returns the value of the expr1 parameter if the value of the expr1 parameter is not null.

  • Returns the value of the expr2 parameter if the value of the expr1 parameter is null.

  • Returns null if the values of both the expr1 and expr2 parameters are null.

Example

The following example tests the Owner field to see if it is empty, and returns the appropriate message:

$(nvl(Owner, "Unknown owner"))

nvl does not support multiple values to be used as parameter, therefore a list cannot be used as expr1. That is, a Validated field cannot be used as expr1.