In Sitecore, What is “Standard Field”?

In Sitecore, the term “Standard Field” can refer to two different concepts. Let’s explore both:

1. Standard Template Fields:
   • The Sitecore standard template defines a base template for most other data templates. It resides at the path /sitecore/templates/System/Templates/Standard.
   • Standard Template Fields are those fields common to most data templates. These fields serve as a foundation for creating new templates.
   • Examples of Standard Template Fields include:
     • Name: Represents the name of the item.
     • Title: Typically used for display purposes.
     • __Created: Indicates when the item was created.
     • __Updated: Indicates when the item was last updated.
     • __Revision: Keeps track of the revision number.
     • __Sortorder: Determines the order of items within a parent.
     • __Hidden: Indicates whether the item is hidden from navigation.
     • __Lock: Indicates whether the item is locked for editing.
     • And more…
2. Standard Values:
   • Standard values provide default values for data template fields. If the value of a field is NULL (unset), the item contains the standard value for that field as defined in the data template.
   • Sitecore stores the standard values for each data template as a child of the data template definition item named Standard Values.
   • The Standard Values item contains default field values for items based on the data template. It includes all fields defined in the data template itself, as well as any inherited fields from base templates.
   • When viewing an item in the Content Editor, any field that contains a standard value is indicated by the token [standard value] next to the field title.
   • Standard values can be inherited from any base template, not just the immediate base template of an item.
   • To configure standard values for the fields of a data template:
     • In the Template Manager or the Content Editor, select the data template definition item.
     • On the Builder OPTIONS tab, in the Template group, click Standard Values. Sitecore inserts the standard values item under the data template definition item¹².

Remember that understanding both concepts is crucial for effective Sitecore development. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask! 😊