diff --git a/src/main/java/ch/psi/mxsc/MainPanel.java b/src/main/java/ch/psi/mxsc/MainPanel.java
index bcbe788..d4a0f8d 100644
--- a/src/main/java/ch/psi/mxsc/MainPanel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/ch/psi/mxsc/MainPanel.java
@@ -851,7 +851,10 @@ public class MainPanel extends Panel {
                     "sampleName", "samplePosition", "sampleBarcode", "sampleStatus", "sampleMountCount"
                 };
             Class[] types = null;   
-             
+            Object[] defaults = new Object[]{ null, null,
+                    null, isRt() ? "RT" : null, null, null,
+                    null, null, null, "Present", 0
+                };             
             
             JsonTableEditor editor = new JsonTableEditor(columns, types);
             editor.setShowClearButton(true);
@@ -870,6 +873,7 @@ public class MainPanel extends Panel {
                     }
                 }
             });
+            editor.setDefaultValues(defaults);
             editor.load(file);
             getView().openEditor(editor);