---
title: nvl
slug: neurons-for-itsm/admin-user-help/enu/latest/nvl
createdAt: 2026-07-14T19:16:48.110Z
---

First determines if the value of the first parameter is null. If it is, it returns the value of the second parameter.

## Syntax

nvl(expr1, expr2)

## Enabled For

For a description of the business object categories, see [Notes on "Enabled For"](docId\:u26v9feCFs6iLwA0-PVJd).

| Business Object Category                                                                    | Yes/No |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------ |
| Business Rules: Before-Save Rules                                                           | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Calculation Rules (After Save, with or without Also Recalculate on Load)    | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Calculation Rules (Before Save or Always, without Also Recalculate On Load) | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Calculation Rules (Before Save or Always, with Recalculate On Load)         | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Editing Rules                                                               | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Initialization Rules                                                        | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Read Only Rules                                                             | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Required Rules                                                              | Yes    |
| Business Rules: Validation Rules                                                            | Yes    |
| Client Expressions                                                                          | Yes    |
| Object Permissions                                                                          | Yes    |
| Services                                                                                    | Yes    |
| LDAP                                                                                        | Yes    |
| Mobile                                                                                      | Yes    |
| Quick Actions (except UI Quick Actions)                                                     | Yes    |
| UI Quick Actions                                                                            | Yes    |
| Reports                                                                                     | Yes    |
| Search/Dashboard without field references                                                   | Yes    |
| Search/Dashboard with field references                                                      | Yes    |

## Parameters

| Parameter | Description            |
| --------- | ---------------------- |
| expr1     | The first expression.  |
| expr2     | The second expression. |

## Return Value

Text value:

- Returns the value of the expr1 parameter if the value of the expr1 parameter is not null.
- Returns the value of the expr2 parameter if the value of the expr1 parameter is null.
- Returns null if the values of both the expr1 and expr2 parameters are null.

## Example

The following example tests the **Owner** field to see if it is empty, and returns the appropriate message:

$(nvl(Owner, "Unknown owner"))

:::hint{type="info"}
nvl does not support multiple values to be used as parameter, therefore a list cannot be used as expr1. That is, a Validated field cannot be used as expr1.
:::