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

Does the numeric entry field still restrict the variable to just numbers, or is the text variable free for letter characters?

Hi Mike!

Numeric-entry fields accept numbers, decimals, and hyphens (for negative numbers). If learners enter any other characters in numeric-entry fields, those characters will be removed when they submit their responses.

Hi folks!

What if I need to calculate numbers according to the value entered? iIf these go to the Text variable they won't, won't they?

Hi Narrative,

Have you seen the article here on how to use the number variables to perform calculations? 

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. 

Snorre's javascript solution, whilst appreciated, just replaces the 0 with NaN in the numeric field upon testing.

360, yes you're right when creating a new numeric field and using the default variable.  However, I have a large project where I created a lot of unique number variables, with a similar labelling style (speedier process), I then applied the new variable to the numeric field and a zero displays.

Arrrgh, going to take at least a day to redo as per your (default) method.

Appreciate your response. 

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) 

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.