WSS 3.0 Workflow - How to set a field value to null

Question

WSS 3.0

I have a List that contains a text field, a check-box, and a Date field. When the check-box is ticked I want to set the date field to the current date, and when a check-box is un-ticked I want to set the Date field to blank (or null, I don't care which just as long as it appears blank).

I have created a Custom Workflow using Sharepoint Designer which correctly handles the first situation - and inserts the current date as required. But I am unable to create a Workflow action that will set a Date field to null or blank. By default the Date field is not displaying a value (which is what I want) so I know it must be possible to reset it to be the same.

Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

So, this definitely falls in the "Workaround" or "Last Resort" category but it works.

1. Create a new Date column in your list called EmptyDate (Default Value must be None)
2. Use the Set Field in Current Item activity to set your Date field to be EmptyDate.

This may work if you use content types and can hide the EmptyDate column so that it can't be filled in.

Answer 2

One suggestion to improve the accepted solution: You do not have to put your EmptyDate into your own list, just create another one for general Empty Values purpose. Create a special list EmptyValues, create a field named EmptyDate within that list and the anytime you need it, do this:... Set Variable:MyVariable to EmptyValues:EmptyDate