Field Validator

The Field Validator action validates an entry in a form text, text area, or password field. If the action is applied to a text field, the action is triggered when the viewer tabs out of the field, or enters text in the field and then selects a different field. The action uses one of seven validation criteria.

Select a form text, text area, or password field. In the Actions palette, select a trigger option: Select the Key Blur event for validating entries when the viewer tabs out of the field or the Text Change event for validating entries when the viewer enters text and then selects another field. Choose Action > Getters > Field Validator.

Type the name of the form that contains the text field, and the name of the text field to validate. Select a validation criterion from the Validation to Perform pop-up menu. If you choose the Field Has This Many Characters option, define a numerical value in the # Of Characters text box. If you choose the Field = Exact Text String option, type the text viewers must enter in the field in the Exact Text String text box.

Type an alert message to display if the field entry is not valid.

Note: If there are adjacent fields with Field Validator actions assigned to Key Blur events, separate the fields with a field that doesn't have a Key Blur event. Or separate the fields with a label, and assign a tabbing order to the field and labels. (A label must contain at least one character, but you can make it appear blank by entering a space character.)