I want to set the default value from a dropdown field based on the content type. So basically: If Contenttype equals "HW" than set dropdown default value to "1". Each time I try to set the following formula
=IF([Contenttype]="HW",1,2)
I get the error
The formula has errors or is not supported
Screen from the UI (display language is set to german)
You are on the right track. Have you tried to using a calculated column yet? (List Settings>Create Column>Calculated Column).
I think you are using a normal field (number field or text field)? The formula in these fields types is not powerful, the Calculated Column will be able to do what you need.
In my example I have a field called Unit. Possible values in this field are Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 and so on. I have defined my formula to return a '1' if the value is 'Unit 1'. If the value is not 'Unit 1' the formula returns a '2'.
You just need to create a Calculated Column and use your own field name and values.
Maybe this is helpful:
One workaround I have used for this issue is to add a custom field to a content type, and then check its value. For example, I might add a yes/no field called IsTask to the Task content type, and default it to Yes. The the formula would look like this:
=IF([IsTask], "This is a task", "Not a task")
There are some additional complications in using a yes/no field this way, since the UI won't let you mark them as hidden. (Why not?) But you can hide them behind the scenes by setting the ShowInDisplayForm, ShowInEditForm, and ShowInNewForm values. Or if you don't like going behind the scenes, simply use a text field instead.
