# Default Model Selection

When Lektor encounters a content file it needs to decide which data model to use for figuring out how to handle the fields. In the ideal case the content file contains `_model` field which will point explicitly to a model. However if a model was not defined it's picked automatically.

Lektor will attempt to load a few models and will pick the first that exists. If no model exists at all then Lektor calls back to the special `none` model which is empty other than for system fields.

1. If a model is defined for children by the parent model then it's used. For more information about this feature see Children & Pagination.
2. The ID of the page is attempted as model name next.
3. If it still does not match anything, it will try the default `page` model.
4. If that also does not match, it falls back to the special `none` model which is always empty.

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