Prevent moving to next record by validating current record

[rhewitt]

I have a form textbox that represents a watershed. The code is 8 digits, and under no circumstances can it be any other length. I'd like to ensure that the number entered is 8 digits long before the user can move on to another or new record.



Essentially if the # is anything but 8 digits i'd like an error message to pop-up beside the text-box "Must be 8 digits." This form element is present and set to not-visible by default. At this point the error message pops-up correctly, but it moves to the next record rather than staying focused on the textbox with incorrect data.

Should this sort of validation be in the form_BeforeUpdate event?

Code:

Private Sub Form_BeforeUpdate(Cancel As Integer)
    If Len(Me.HUC8) <> 8 Then
        Me.txtError.Visible = True
        Me.HUC8.SetFocus
    ElseIf Len(Me.HUC8) = 8 Then
        Me.txtError.Visible = False
    End If
End Sub

[pbaldy]

You can, but you're missing the Cancel = True:

http://www.baldyweb.com/BeforeUpdate.htm

You might also be able to use a validation rule on the field or textbox.

[rhewitt]

Thanks!

Initially I was going the textbox validation route, but I read somewhere that I should be using form on-update. The Cancel = True works in both cases, so I went back to the textbox method.

[pbaldy]

No problem!