# Update Default Values
Updates matter list item properties and sets column default values on associated document libraries by processing rows from an Excel file. Optionally also updates all existing documents with the new values.
Filename pattern: filename must contain defaultvalues (case-insensitive).
Example: 20240115 defaultvalues sync.xlsx
# Columns
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ClientCode | No | Client code used to identify the matter. Included in the metadata properties passed to document libraries. |
| MatterID / ExternalID | No | External identifier for the matter list item. |
| MatterCode | Yes | Matter code identifying the matter to update. |
| MatterName | No | Display name of the matter. When provided, added to the metadata properties. |
| UpdateDocuments | No | Boolean. When true, all existing documents in the matter's document libraries are updated with the new metadata values. Default: false. |
| Properties | No | All other columns (all columns except UpdateDocuments) are collected as metadata properties and applied as column default values on the document libraries. |
MatterCode is always required.
# Behavior
- The matter list item is resolved by MatterCode (and ClientCode if needed). If not found, the row fails.
- The matter list item is updated using the provided properties.
- Column default values on all matter document libraries are set from the properties using
SPField.SetDefaultValues. - When UpdateDocuments is
true, all existing documents in each library are updated with the new metadata usingUpdateSystem(preserving the modified date and modified-by).
Note: Unlike most handlers, only UpdateDocuments is excluded from the Properties collection. Other recognized columns (ClientCode, MatterCode, MatterName) are also included in the metadata properties passed to document libraries.
# Related links
- Update Doclib File Properties handler — update metadata on documents directly (by doclib URL)
- Matter List handler — create or update matter list entries