How to remove an initial value (0) from a "Numeric Entry" field

Yes, we can remove default value "0" from it.

I hope it will help you.

I ran into this after I'd already placed all of my numeric entry fields in a course. There is also a way to get the default "0"s to go away from existing numeric entry fields without having to "Delete" and then "Ctrl Z" them.

I think I may be re-stating manish's solution, but basically:

1) Double click the numeric entry field's trigger in the trigger panel to pull up the variable assignment pop up

2) Use the dropdown and change the field's variable to "unassigned"

3) Create a new Text variable, name it whatever you want, and leave the default value for it blank

4) Double click the entry field's trigger in the trigger panel again to go back to the variable assignment pop up

5) Assign the new Text variable to the numeric entry field

6) Unfortunately, you have to re-do whatever triggers you had in place that referenced the original Number variable. I also recommend going back into your project variables list and deleting the old (now unused) Number variables, to keep the project file tidy.

update - for those that get into this position (see thread above); don't create text variables as you lose the calc functionality, instead i) create a new numeric field (beside the old one), ii) rename the default variable on it.... this way the numeric variables are maintained in the triggers and it's speedier to rework. If you replace with text fields  you lose the values in the triggers when you rework it. This sounds confusing even as i type it. 

Moral of the story; rename default numeric variables, don't create new (or zero becomes your new best friend) 

Hi Ashley and thanks for your quick reply!

My question was about getting rid of the 0 value in Numeric entries: the method described above involved replacing the numeric variable with text variable. Ofcourse that work fine, but it takes out the ability to make calculations (which was the original purpose of the Numeric entry, wasn't it?)

Thanks, Ofer

Thanks for clarifying here Ofer and my apologies for misunderstanding. These older threads I try to just deal with the question as written in the most recent reply as sometimes they don't connect. 

Within Storyline are you using Storyline 1 or Storyline 2? Within Storyline 2, I know a few users shared that if they were renaming the variable it would update to Zero - so perhaps that is how you're seeing it as well? Also clicking inside the numeric entry to update the formatting has changed it to Zero before - so you'll want to ensure you're clicking the lines of the text box. 

I have created a (rather complex) work-around, which I think works really well.

Try it out here:

http://elearning.hosp.dk/0Afproevning/SNORRESLEGEPLAD/story_html5.html

I have also attached the story file if you want to copy it.

Instead of actual numeric entry fields, it uses javascript triggered by keypress, and a couple of variables.

Numerical: "currentValue"
Text: "currentValueText"
If you have more than one input field: "currentVar"
The text variables seen in the slide: "a", "b", ...

If there are more than one "field" I use layers for each. 

In this case, layer "a" opens when timeline starts, and sets "currentVar" to "a". I use that variable to tell the storyline which variable needs to be updated.

Now in a master template, I have made a number of keystroke triggers, with a javascript function in each. E.g. if you press "1" this scripts is triggered:

var player = GetPlayer();
var val = player.GetVar("currentValue");
val = player.GetVar("currentValueText");

val = val*10+1;

player.SetVar("currentValueText", val);
player.SetVar("currentValue", val);

This will add a "1" to the number in both the "currentValue" number variable, and the "currentValueText" text variable. The same happens if you press "NUM1". For each of the other number and numerical keyboad keys, a similar script is triggered, just with "val*10+2", "val*10+3", etc.

Now if you press "DEL" another script is triggered:

var player = GetPlayer();
var num= player.GetVar("currentValue");
var div= "10";
var dec= num / div;
var res= parseInt(dec);
player.SetVar("currentValue", res);
if (res == 0) {
res = "";
};
player.SetVar("currentValueText", res);
console.log("dec: " + dec);
console.log("res: " + res);

Which shaves the last digit off the number.

@Wendy

I see the same thing in SL360, the number variable entries appear with a 0.  The only thing is when you go to enter in a number (eg. 205) the entry now appears as 0205.  That zero does not disappear when you enter in your number (it just stays at the beginning).  As a user (entering in the number) if I delete the 0 before typing in my number the entry box now displays the "Hint text" and if I enter my number all looks the way I wish it did from the very beginning.

I'm a bit stunned there are so many complex issues/fixes to address this problem.  Why don't they just function/appear like text variable inputs?   :)

I do not have a 0 shown in the numeric entry field when creating one whether in SL2 or SL360. But once I click "OK" in the variable editing pane, the initail variable number will show even though I do not make any edit. Here is the Peek video for the test.

I originally was not going to worry about this, then I saw a user type into the number fields and just left the zero in the field in addition to their intended entry. And yes, while I was hoping Snorre had this dialed in, NaN is the results I'm getting with the most recent SL360.

Hi Jyothi,

You could add a trigger for the start of the timeline to set the value of NumericEntry to (blank) and that would stop the 0 from appearing automatically.