Length and/or Character validation within a Form

Bruce Case

When creating a Form, I would like to be able to specify and/or limit the number of characters added to a specific field.  As an example, when we ask for the UID (such as mine being U28CT27). Today, I can only give them a free flow box, but in this case, I would like to validate a length of 7 ---- and for extra strength, be able to specific alpha, numeric, both.

Courtney S.

I would really love to have this. We have a commonly-used form where some of the single-line text boxes could really use something like a 50-character length limit. They need to be freeform text answers, so we can't apply any of the current validation rules, but the PDF that we map the responses to can only really handle an answer up to about 50 characters in length.

Courtney S.

It would be very useful to be able to set a maximum character length in a Text/Number column. A minimum would be good too. Attempts to enter answers outside the character limit(s) would be rejected like entering a non-date into a date field, with a pop-up message & admin override allowed.

The settings would be optional, so the current no-limits setup could remain the default for all new columns. Any min/max character length settings on the column would also translate to character length validation in any form using that column as a field.

JMOORE3123

Currently, when building forms we have a feature that allow for data input validation. You can select that the field only accept numbers or that the format is an email, etc.

FEATURE REQUEST: One input validation option that would be very valuable to me is one where you can limit the numbers of characters input. And also allow for mixed characters (letter and numbers).

For example, when it comes to employee IDs, we have a set number of characters such as JT1245 or BL658W. Having this feature where I can limit the number of characters, it would help to prevent errors when our users are entering the data.

Paula_

I to would find this useful as well as having it show the user how many characters they have left as they are filling in.

Stephanie Denier

We have a form that includes a "description" field whose value will later be used in our company's inventory system. In that system, "description" has a character limitation and we've had a few form submissions that needed to be revised because the requester went over the character limit.

If that additional validation existed, we could have the right information the first time, and prevent requesters from making those errors.

Jakub Lenczowski

I am happy to have numeric field possibility to be used in forms but the problem is that I cannot limit it to exact number of characters. Additionally I cannot indicate taht I would like to have specific divider between them. Would be great to have such possibility.

blairla

Would love the ability to set a character restriction in text/number fields when creating a form. Not only would it help with data validation for IDs, but for longer description fields, it can really trip up a fillable PDF when people enter a lot of info :(

J.Naylor

I would like supplement this request: to add a validation option to not allow negative numbers when selecting number validation. I'm using the form with the Text > Number Validation feature (e.g., attendance). Some users submit negative numbers (maybe by accident?) which should only be zero or positive numbers, and this affects our reports.

Seeking an alternate/workaround: Is there a way to swiftly adjust these entries in the grid? We have been using Ctrl F to search for - and then adjusting those fields.

This can be cumbersome with larger data sets.

Justin.Harvey

I am in the same boat as all you guys - I think there needs to be a way to format cells/columns in the Smartsheet view that then flows through to the Form field validation. This should be similar to the way that Excel uses th controls within Custom Formats for fields, where the spacing can be controlled (i.e. the user enters 11 digits (for example, ABN) and the system automatically breaks it into 2-3-3-3).

Troy G. Biv

I would also like to have this functionality. The ability to put a character limit on a text entry field and display to the user how many characters they have entered out of the max allowable (e.g. "35/70").

Josh Reed

This is definitely a need. Even if we couldn't limit the characters... if there was some way to incorporate a len function somewhere... or some way to show how many characters have been used... at least that would be something and we could include in the question explanation/prompt that the user's entry needs to be less than x characters.

jacquedale

When using the document generator I need to be able to limit the amount of text (since the generator does not allow for the cells to adjust as needed).

The settings for a multi-line text box allows you to select how many lines of text- but that function actually doesn't prohibit entry of more than the selected number of text lines.

Andrée Starå

Hi @jacquedale

I hope you're well and safe!

Here's a possible workaround or workarounds

• Add a formula and a so-called helper column that shows a message with the max number, how close they are, or a message that they've exceeded it. (can also be added in another cell in one of the columns already in the sheet)

Would that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

✅Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please support the Community by marking it Insightful/Vote Up, Awesome, or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!

jacquedale

@Andrée Starå would this work for form users as well (meaning will it show a form user that they are maxing out)?

Andrée Starå

@jacquedale

Unfortunately, there's no way to use it in a form.

✅Remember! Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please support the Community by marking it Insightful/Vote Up/Awesome or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!