---
schema_version: "1"
id: f6d889a2c4ba081be55beba945cb0cf51394df3a5a6031e5ceece564b069ed7e
title: PRIORVALUE
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_functions_priorvalue.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_priorvalue.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: ea9ce13a4aac43e43b0e60b05767a7b921e76ff30c4b10f47923bf9f4f3782e4
description: Returns the previous value of a field.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# PRIORVALUE

Returns the previous value of a field.

## Use

`PRIORVALUE(field)`

## Tips

- This function is available only in:
    - Assignment rules
    - Validation rules
    - Field updates
    - Workflow rules if the evaluation criteria is set to Evaluate the rule when a record is: created, and every time it’s edited .
    - Formula criteria for executing actions and setting input values in Process Builder.
- This function doesn’t return default values.
- When users create a record, this function returns the value of the field referenced rather than null. For example, if you create an account named "Acme," `PRIORVALUE(Account.Name)` returns `Acme`.
- When using the ISPICKVAL function to return the previous value of a picklist field, include the PRIORVALUE function inside the ISPICKVAL function as in this example:
    
    ```
    ISPICKVAL(PRIORVALUE
    (picklist_field), 
    text_literal)
    ```
- To check if the previous value of a multi-select picklist field includes a specific value, use the PRIORVALUE function inside the INCLUDES function. For example:
    
    ```
    INCLUDES(
       PRIORVALUE(multiselect_picklist_field),
    text_literal
    )
    ```

![Validation Rule 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)

Validation Rule Example

This validation rule prevents users from changing the expected revenue of an opportunity after it’s closed: `AND(PRIORVALUE(Amount) > Amount, IsClosed)`.