Specifying a default value for items with a null value

Use this procedure to define default values for attributes. These defaults apply if a rule is evaluating items that are based on an attribute and encounters an item that has a null value for the attribute.

Procedure

  1. Click Manage on the side navigation menu.
  2. Select Attributes under Product Offers.
  3. In the Attribute Definition table, find the attribute that needs a default value and specify it in the Default Value field.

    As a safeguard for attributes that use a character string, you can set a default value of "n/a". So, rather than a rule processing a null value, it uses the term "n/a". The term "n/a" is unlikely to cause a conflict in your data because character attributes such as brand do not have a value of "n/a".

    As a safeguard for attributes that use a numeric value, you can set a default value of "-1". So rather than a rule processing a null value, it uses a "-1". T3he "-1" value is unlikely to cause a conflict in your data because numeric attributes such as price or inventory do not have a value of -1.

    As a safeguard for attributes that use a character string, you can set a default value of "n/a". So, rather than a rule trying to process a null value, it uses the term "n/a". The term "n/a" is unlikely to cause a conflict in your data because character attributes such as publisher do not have a value of "n/a".

    As a safeguard for attributes that use a numeric value, you can set a default value of "-1". So rather than a rule attempting to process a null value, it uses a "-1". The "-1" value is unlikely to cause a conflict in your data because numeric attributes such as rating or length of article do not have a value of -1.