Date/Calendar field validation question

[Former Community Member]

I want to use the regular Date field, but unsure what's the best way to validate user's input.

The Display Format I am using is "DD MMM YYYY",

if the user uses the Calendar to pick the date, there's no issue.

However, the user can also type things into that field without using the built-in calendar,

what should I do when the user types "MM/DD/YYYY" (eg. "09/19/2011") ??

How to validate that?

If I put a validation pattern "DD MMM YYY" into the validation tab, it doesn't seem to work.

so, please help.

[Former Community Member · Accepted solution]

Add the same pattern in the Validation Pattern/Edit section and make sure that you include a Validation Pattern Message Text in the dialog informing the user which format you are expecting. If they enter the wrong format your message text will appear so make it informative.

Paul

[MHaywood323]

In the Edit Field Put -     date{M/D/YY}|date{MM/DD/YYYY}|date{M-D-YY}|date{MM-DD-YYYY}

In your display field Put -  date{DD-MMM-YYYY}      or    date{DD-MMM-YY}           which ever you perfer.

Leave the Validation Blank.

With that in the Edit Field, it will correct if the user puts  04-01-1990  or 04/01/1990  and will convert to your format when entered