Question: I retrieve some data on init from an API and display them in my view to prefill some fields.

I'm a form view which contains : 

```
<ion-textarea formControlName="job_description" class="form-control desc" value="{{resDesc?.job_description}}"></ion-textarea>

```

And when I submit the form, I try to get datas with : 

```
this.form.get('job_description').value

```

And it's always null... Except if I write something in the field.

What should I do ?

Thanks

Answer: 
Instead of setting the value in the tag you can set it in your TS file, like this:

```
this.form = this.formBuilder.group({
  job_description: new FormControl("YOUR VALUE HERE")
});

```

It works in my computer ...
You can also use `patchValue` or `setValue` to set the default values of all the fields in your model. See Angular docs on [patchValue and setValue](https://angular.io/guide/reactive-forms#partial-model-updates). I like `patchValue` for this use case.

**setValue():**

> 
> Use the `setValue()` method to set a new value for an individual control. The `setValue()` method strictly adheres to the structure of the form group and replaces the entire value for the control.
> 
> 
> 

**patchValue():**

> 
> Use the `patchValue()` method to replace any properties defined in the object that have changed in the form model.
> 
> 
> 

**Example**:

```
ngOnInit() {
    this.http.get('/my-api).subscribe(data => {
        this.form.patchValue(data)
    });
}

```