InfoPath Dev

Hello...

I have a 3-column repeating table that I would like to validate to ensure that if they enter one of the columns in a given row, all columns are entered.  These are optional entries, so I cannot simply make them "required".  The first column is a date-picker, the second is a drop-down list, and the third is a text box.  I cannot seem to find the right "is blank", "is not present", or "is not equal to" condition that is satisfied when nothing is entered.  Does anyone know where I can find more information on these conditions, and how they apply to each data type ?

 Thanks. 

I actually experimented with the same conditions on a RULE I created to show a dialog box expression for the drop-down column.  I conditioned the rule based on "is blank" or "is not blank" (to always show me the value), and found that until I selected a non-blank entry from the drop-down, the dialog box did not appear.   But then, it always appeared, whether or not the entry I selected was blank.   Any ideas ?   Can I assume the date-picker is equally as quirky ?

I also found that if I selected the same value from the drop-down twice in a row, the dialog box did not appear.  Must be something that overrides the condition if it thinks nothing has changed...

Hi:

This can be done with Data Validation.

You'll need to set Data Validation on each of your three fields. Each field will require 4 conditions. For example, for Field1:

If Field1 is blank and Field2 is not blank or Field1 is blank and Field3 is not blank

For Field2:

If Field2 is blank and Field1 is not blank or Field2 is blank and Field3 is not blank

And for Field3

If Field3 is blank and Field2 is not blank or Field3 is blank and Field1 is not blank

A little repetitive, but it should do the trick....

Thanks for the response!  That makes perfect sense to me.  In fact, I've already tried that and it didn't work.  At first, I was thinking it wasn't recognizing "is blank", but as I mentioned above, I'm now thinking there is something that prevents the condition from being checked when (it thinks) nothing has changed.

Interesting. I don't understand why it is working on my sample form and not on yours.

Do you have the data validation set on each field?

Yep.  What are the data types you are using ?   Try a text box in one column, and a drop-down list box in another column.  Enter something in the text box, and do not touch the drop-down.  I'm guessing it will not satisfy the conditions you have established...

I'll try that. Here is the sample I used -- I went ahead and posted it to the downloads.

Okay, I tried it ... and it was fine with a dropdown. I had three fields, two text, one dropdown. When I entered text in field one, the dropdown (field 2) and the other text box (field 3) highlighted with the red asterisk as required. On your dropdown -- is the default item of a blank value? If not, that will be the culprit.

My drop-down list entries are lookups from an external data source (Sharepoint list).  Don't think I can specify a blank default.  Am I stuck ?

When you open the form, what do the drop downs look like? Is there just a blank area and the drop down arrow? The trick here is going to be finding out what that default value is and setting the data validation appropriately. One thing I do to try to figure things like that out is to put an expression box on my form, and have the value be something like Field2 = "" (with blank quotes). That way, if the field is blank, I get true, if not false....and I modify the expression until I see that I have it right.

Yes, it defaults to an empty selection. 

I've got a rule conditioned on "is blank" or "is not blank", and it seems that neither condition is met until I choose another entry from the drop-down.  I've been unable to find a condition for "is NULL".  Do you know how I might accomplish that, or where I can find more information on the conditions ?   (I've also already tried "is not present")

I just tried this using a SharePoint Doc Library as a data source for my drop down, and for me, the data validation is still working. The condition of "is blank" is met with the default value.....

Your drop-down is not a required entry, and there is no default, correct ?

That is correct. I basically took the sample form I'd posted in the downloads earlier in this thread and changed Field2 to a drop down. Then I added a connection to a document library on SharePoint and used it for the data source in my list. I didn't modify anything else.....