AboutIf your users are entering the word "five" instead of the number 5, or they accidentally enter a number incorrectly ($2011 instead of just $201), a feature called validation strings might help. |
Setting Up Validation in NextStep Fields
Validation Strings have the following format:
validation||message
- validation is the rule you are setting for the given field.
- ||message is where you explain to users in a "Validation Failed" popup screen what the rule is.
- Include the two || pipes, with no space between the pipes and the message.
- This is optional. If you do not use a message, a default one will be displayed for you.
This table lists the various types of validation you can set for a field, and which field types allow each validation type.
Description | Validation | Popup Message | Form Field Types |
| Validation fails when the length of the value is greater than the specified maximum length. For example, if the maximum size permitted is 25, set the Validation String to: maxlen=25 | maxlen=x OR maxlength=x |   | Text Memo |
Validation fails when the length of the value is less than the specified minimum length. | minlen=x OR minlength=x |   | Text Memo |
Validation fails when the value contains any characters other than alphabetic or numeric characters. | alnum OR alphanumeric |   | Text |
| Validation fails when the value contains any characters other than alphabetic, numeric and space characters | alnum_s OR alphanumeric_space |   | Text |
Validation fails when the value contains any characters other than alphabetic. | alpha OR alphabetic |   | Text |
Validation fails when the value contains any characters other than alphabetic or space characters. | alpha_s OR alphabetic_space |   | Text |
Validation fails when the value does not conform to the standard email address format (i.e. name@something.tld). |  | Text | |
The user-inputted value must be less than the value specified for x; it cannot be equal to or greater than that number. For example, if the value should be less than 1000 give the Validation String as: lt=1000 | lt=x OR lessthan=x |   | Integer Double |
Validates time | time |  | Text |
Entry must be a number between 0-9999, and must be exactly 4 characters. | regexp=^[0-9999]{4}$||Please enter the 4-digit code. |  | Text Memo |
Custom regex: Validation fails when the value doesn’t match the specified regexp. For example, if you need to allow up to 20 alphabetic characters, specify the Validation String as: regexp=^[A-Za-z]{1,20}$ | Note that regexp, or regular expressions, are complex validation rules, that are supported in the Validation String. Learn more about RegEx/Regular Expressions. | Text Memo Integer Double |
Sample Validation String | Passing Value Examples | Failing Value Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
maxlen=6 | Brenda John | Catherine I am a long name that will fail | |
minlen=5 | 3-TNJ 2-TNJ-22 | 3TNJ Amy | |
alnum | BP124 679Q | BP-124 679 Q | |
alnum_s | Frank has 2 children 679 Q | BP-124 This won’t pass | |
alpha | Frank Fran | Frank2 Frank & Fran | |
alpha_s | Frank and Fran Frank has two children | Frank2 Frank & Fran | |
something@else.com another@thing.net | something something@else something.else.com | ||
lt=10 | 2 9 | 10 672 | |
gt=99 | 100 999 | 99 2 | |
regexp=^[0-9]{4}$||This field requires 4 digits only | 1234 3456 | 123 12344 CCCC | Anything after the "||" is an error message. So if the user does not enter 4 digits, they get the validation message "This field requires 4 digits only" |
regexp=[a-z]+[0-9]+||This field requires lower case letters followed by numbers | abc123 a23 aaa5 | abc 123 AbC43 | |
regexp=[A-Z][A-Z*][A-Z][A-Z*]$||Onlyuppercase letters and * are valid. String must start with a leter. 4 characters required. | ABC* RSLN F*C* | ACB ABCDE *ACB | It has to be 4 characters. Only upper case letters. Second and forth character can be an * |
regexp=^[0-9a-zA-Z]{8}$ | A2345678 ABc4SD78 | A23456789 ABC4SD78c | |
regexp=^[0-9][0-9]?[0-9]?$ | 1 23 567 | c 1234 | Up to 3 digits, and at least 1 |
Have you created a useful custom validation string? Please let us know and we will add it to our library!