---
schema_version: "1"
id: 5dde6b18b7899a51f0be76102870a97f99d7a904f97cbe8e5c810a064c7fe0dc
title: BLANKVALUE
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_functions_blankvalue.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_blankvalue.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 44055649ffcde267d2efd4e7f43ac95d5d040e0023c78551dd686ed1e51a973b
description: Determines if an expression has a value and returns a substitute expression if it doesn’t. If the expression has a value, returns the value of the expression.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# BLANKVALUE

Determines if an expression has a value and returns a substitute expression if it doesn’t. If the expression has a value, returns the value of the expression.

## Use

`BLANKVALUE(expression, substitute_expression)` and replace expression with the expression you want evaluated; replace substitute\_expression with the value you want to replace any blank values.

## Tips

- Use BLANKVALUE instead of NULLVALUE in new formulas. BLANKVALUE has the same functionality as NULLVALUE, but also supports text fields. Salesforce continues to support NULLVALUE, so you don’t need to change existing formulas.
- A field is not empty if it contains a character, blank space, or zero. For example, a field that contains a space inserted with the spacebar is not empty.
- Use the BLANKVALUE function to return a specified string if the field doesn't have a value; use the [ISBLANK](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_isblank.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Determines if an expression has a value and returns TRUE if it does not. If it contains a value, this function returns FALSE.") function if you only want to check if the field has a value.
- If you use this function with a numeric field, the function only returns the specified string if the field doesn't have a value and isn't configured to treat blank fields as zeroes.

![Formula Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_example.png)

Formula Example

`BLANKVALUE(Department, “Undesignated”)`

This formula returns the value of the Department field if the Department field contains a value. If the Department field is empty, this formula returns the word Undesignated.

`(BLANKVALUE(Payment_Due_Date__c, StartDate +5)`

This formula returns the date five days after the contract start date whenever Payment Due Date is blank. Payment Due Date is a custom date field.