ANS-1648 · CUSTOM FIELDS, RECORDS & FORMS
Why Does a NetSuite Custom Checkbox Field Change from Blank to ‘F’ Unexpectedly?
Understand how NetSuite handles custom checkbox field values for records created before the field's implementation, leading to unexpected updates.
Short answer
NetSuite custom checkbox fields, when added after records exist, are initially 'blank' for those older records. Upon any subsequent update to such a record by a user, script, or workflow, NetSuite automatically sets the 'blank' custom checkbox to 'F' (False/No) if the field is not explicitly specified in the update, ensuring data consistency.
Scenario
System Notes indicate that a custom checkbox field is being updated from a blank state to 'F' (False/No) by a scheduled workflow. This occurs even though the custom field is not explicitly referenced or modified within the workflow's definition. The update appears to happen without direct instruction from the workflow itself.
Solution
The behavior is attributed to the timing of the custom checkbox field's creation relative to the records it applies to.For records that were created before the custom checkbox field was introduced, NetSuite stores the value for this field as "blank" in the database. This differs from newer records, where the field defaults to "F"/"No" even if not explicitly set during record creation.When an older record, for which the custom checkbox field is "blank," undergoes any update (whether by a user, a script, or a scheduled workflow) without explicitly specifying a value for this custom field, NetSuite automatically updates the field's value from "blank" to "F"/"No". This ensures a consistent default state for the field across all records.
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