Livecycle

To validate user input

Three separate validations are possible for any field. The order of initiation of these validations is as follows:

•	Test the field for null content.

•	Verify the format of the field value against a specific field pattern. For more information about field patterns, see Simple patterns.

•	Invoke a validation script.

You can define a validation pattern to validate user input for date/time fields, numeric fields, text fields, and password fields. By default, null entries are not accepted when a value is required. Raw values are compared to the validation pattern directly, and if the raw value matches the validation pattern, it is formatted for display.

If the user-entered value does not match the validation pattern, a programming error or warning appears. The error/warning is trapped by Acrobat, Adobe Reader, or LiveCycle Forms ES, which returns a message to the user automatically. If an edit pattern has not been specified and the user input does not match LiveCycle Designer ES defaults, validation fails.

A validation message displays if objects that require values contain null values and the user attempts to submit data to LiveCycle Forms ES.

Note:

Users can save and close a PDF form without providing required values. In this case, no validation is performed.

If desired, you can write a custom validation pattern message to replace the default error or warning message.

In addition to a validation pattern, or in cases where a validation pattern is not supported (for example, for radio button groups and check boxes), you can validate user input using a validation script. Validating input through a script ensures that the data is acceptable for your application. A custom message and run-time error/warning is also supported in this case.

Tip:	You can dynamically populate a validation pattern message with a value from a data source. This option allows you to ensure that users enter a valid value in the field.

To define a validation pattern and custom message

1.	Select the date/time field, numeric field, text field, password field, drop-down list, or list box.

2.	In the Object palette, click the Value tab.

3.	Click Validation Pattern and either select one of the predefined validation patterns from the Select Type list or type a custom pattern in the Pattern box.

4.	In the Validation Pattern Message box, type a message to prompt users to enter the correct value. The message should specify the required input format. To start a new line in the message, press Ctrl+Enter.

5.	If you want a programming error to appear instead of a warning, select the Error option.

To display a message when an attached script detects unacceptable input

1.	Select the date/time field, numeric field, text field, password field, drop-down list, list box, check box, or radio button group.

2.	In the Object palette, click the Value tab. In the Validation Script Message box, type the message.

3.	If you want a programming error to appear instead of a warning, select the Error option.

See also 

About field patterns and value formatting

Defaults for value formatting

To specify an edit pattern

About scripting in LiveCycle Designer ES

To dynamically populate a validation pattern message

To validate user input