InfoPath Dev

Hi all

I have two textboxes bound to a data source field each.

I need data validation on the form that states that either both values must be blank or both must be not-blank. So I cannot have that one field is blank while the other is not blank.

Do I really have to specify the exact same data validation rule on both fields/controls?

Thanks.

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eliasen

In InfoPath 2010 you can copy rules (including validation rules) between fields, but in other versions, yes that's basically what you need to do.  Shouldn't take more than about 2 minutes though, should it?

Right. Rookie mistake... should've told you that I use InfoPath 2007.

Anyways, no it won't take long. It just bugs me that now if the rule changes I need to remember to change it in two places. And of course, should a third or fourth field come into play, things get nasty :)

Thanks for the quick reply.

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eliasen, BizTalk MVP - NOT InfoPath MVP! :-)

I typically advise against using code when it's not absolutely necessary, but if your validation logic does get convoluted and needs to involve many fields, I have demonstrated a way to alleviate this using code:

http://www.infopathdev.com/forums/p/19504/67770.aspx#67770

But I want to stress that this will only be worth your time if you are already comfortable code and having code in your form won't cause any deployment problems.

Hi eliasen, I'm not sure if this would fit your requirement; however to control in one place instead of two places, I would set as follows: 

1) Assuming we have FieldA and FieldB. set Data Validation on FieldB by

2) adding validation "FieldB needs input when FieldA is not blank" with condition
       FieldB is blank and
       FieldA is not blank

3) and add one more validation "FieldB should be blank when FieldA is blank" with condition
       FieldB is not blank and
       FieldA is blank

Then, we get validation error for FieldB with red * mark (for FieldA is non-blank and FieldB is blank), or red dotted link border (for FieldA is blank and FieldB is non-blank), and data validation is controlled in one place.

FieldA does not get validation error with this style, but I think users can fix the issue with given validation message. This does not work if users really need error message both on FieldA and FieldB, but  just as a potential way you may consider....

Another style would be : hide submit button if the condition is not satisfied. also condition should be clearly written in the form, but it seems still tricky... 

thank you!

Hi, and thanks for the link.

I am comfortable writing code and use it a lot in our current forms. However, for this form, right now I have just set the validation condition on both fields and that seems fine for now.

Thanks.

Hi, and thanks for your suggestions.

I have chosen to just have the same validation condition on both fields for now.