Microsoft KB Archive/210343

= ACC2000: How to Replace the Default Input Mask Error Message =

Article ID: 210343

Article Last Modified on 10/11/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q210343



Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).



SUMMARY
This article shows you how to substitute your own custom message for the generic error message that occurs when you violate an input mask on a form. The generic error message for input mask violation is:

The value you entered isn't appropriate for the input mask '!\(999") "000\-0000;;_' specified for this field.



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. You can trap input mask violations and substitute your custom error message for the generic error message in the form's Error event. The following sample Visual Basic code demonstrates this method: Private Sub Form_Error (DataErr As Integer, Response As Integer) Const INPUTMASK_VIOLATION = 2279 If DataErr = INPUTMASK_VIOLATION Then MsgBox "There was an input mask violation!" Response = acDataErrContinue End If End Sub Setting the Response parameter to acDataErrContinue lets you ignore the error and continue without displaying the default error message. You can then supply a custom error message in place of the default.

If you have multiple controls on your form with different input masks, you can use Screen.ActiveControl.Name to get the name of the control causing the error. The following sample code demonstrates this method for a form with phone number, social security number, and ZIP code fields: Private Sub Form_Error (DataErr As Integer, Response As Integer) Const INPUTMASK_VIOLATION = 2279 Dim Msg As String If DataErr = INPUTMASK_VIOLATION Then Select Case Screen.ActiveControl.Name Case "Phone" Beep MsgBox "The phone number you entered is invalid!" Case "SSN" Beep MsgBox "The SSN you entered is invalid!" Case "Zip" Beep MsgBox "The ZIP code you entered is invalid!" Case Else Beep Msg = "An input mask violation occurred in control " MsgBox Msg & Screen.ActiveControl.Name & "!" End Select Response = acDataErrContinue End If End Sub

