# Fill value

**URL:** <https://forum.hdfgroup.org/t/fill-value/3206>\
**Category:** Hdf-forum archives\
**Created:** [May 5, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://forum.hdfgroup.org/t/fill-value/3206 "2014-05-05T04:46:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![T\_C](https://forum.hdfgroup.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@T\_C](https://forum.hdfgroup.org/u/T_C)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://forum.hdfgroup.org/t/fill-value/3206/1 "2014-05-05T04:46:03Z")

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Hello,

When applying the function "H5Pset\_fill\_value" to a new dataset of type variable-length string, the fill value is written properly in this new dataset.

However, if the dataset is of type variable-length int (in fact, any type except string), it doesn't set the fill value in this new dataset.

Any idea of what is happening?

Also, it seems that the function "H5Pset\_fill\_value" is innocuous (i.e. it is not considered) when creating attributes. Is it true? If so, what is the  
alternative?

Thank you,

TC.