Is there a way to replace null with a default value in JSF EL

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Editorial Team

Asked: June 11, 20262026-06-11T06:31:53+00:00 2026-06-11T06:31:53+00:00

Is there a way to replace null with a default value in JSF EL expressions, sort of like the Oracle NVL function?

I know I can do something like

#{obj == null ? 'None' : obj.property}

But was hoping there is an automatic way to do it so I’m not copy/pasting the same expression on both sides of the ternary Elvis operator.

I’m looking for something like

#{default(obj.property, 'None')}

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Editorial Team · Answer 1 · 2026-06-11T06:31:55+00:00

No such thing exist in EL. Not now and not in the future.

Your best bet is creating a custom EL function.

#{my:def(obj.property, 'None')}

(note: as default is a Java keyword/literal, it’s invalid to use exactly this name as function name in EL)

If you happen to use JSF utility library OmniFaces, then you can use #{of:coalesce()} for the exact purpose.

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