---
title: "Set default values for new records"
slug: "set-default-values-for-new-records"
updated: 2026-10-09T18:06:04Z
published: 2026-10-09T18:06:04Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/set-default-values-for-new-records"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set default values for new records

## Details—pre-populate new records

When using details mode, you may want your end-users to fill out some details on the records every time they upload a new file. Defining if a field should be **fill-out** enables this behavior.

For example, suppose **Type** and **Receipt Amount** are set to be filled out. When a user uploads a file—by dragging it onto the grid or using the **Upload** button—a **Set Details for New Record** window opens before the upload finishes. It contains:

- **Type**—a drop-down with the field's choices, such as *Location Photo*, *Receipt*, or *Document*.
- **Receipt Amount**—a numeric input.
- **Save** and **Cancel** buttons.

The user fills in the values and clicks **Save**. The file uploads, a green *Upload Success.* message appears, and the new row shows the values the user entered—for example, *eight.png* with Type *Receipt* and Receipt Amount *$15.00*. If several files are uploaded at once, the values entered apply to all of the new records.

## Fill-out default value

Additionally, sometimes you may want to prefill these fields with default values. We allow you to pass in a **fill-out default value** per each of the fill-out fields.

For example, the parent (master) record has a field **Default File Type** set to *Document*, and the Document Portal button passes that value as the fill-out default for **Type**. When the user uploads a file, the **Set Details for New Record** window opens with **Type** already set to *Document*, while **Receipt Amount** is blank because it is not defaulted. The user can still change the pre-filled value before clicking **Save**.

To learn more about setting these properties, see [**Details—add columns**](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/add-more-columns-to-display). If an upload fails because a required value is missing, see [Document Portal messages and troubleshooting](https://help.quickbase.com/quickbase-extensions/docs/en/document-portal-messages#upload-replace).