Default option selected when possible
default-option-selected-when-possible
Default option selected whenever possible; “Select” placeholder only if no logical default. Dual-cite with GOV.UK settings vs questions and NN/g always-default-radio via explicit None — not a winner.
Description
Default option selected whenever possible; “Select” placeholder only if no logical default. On settings, when a logical current-or-safe default exists, it is selected. If none, a “Select” placeholder is allowed in addition to a visible label—never as the only label. For questions, do not force a guessed answer; use explicit None when none is valid. Fail when a logical default exists unused, “Select” is the only label, or a guessed question answer is forced.
When to use
Settings or selects where a current or safe default can be chosen.
Not when
Unused logical defaults, Select as only label, or guessed forced answers.
Agent hint
Preselect logical defaults on settings; allow Select placeholder only when none exists.
Settings / when a logical current-or-safe default exists, it is selected. If no logical default, a “Select” placeholder is allowed in addition to a visible label (placeholder is extra, never only label). Questions: do not use this row to force a guessed answer; use explicit None when none is valid.
Logical default exists on settings and is unused; or “Select” placeholder is the only label; or a guessed question answer is forced.
Citations