Validate user input in combo box 1

[jeffmorl]

I must be looking in the wrong places because I haven't been able to find an answer to my question.

I have a user input form that populates an "equipment" table. On this form, I have a combo box bound to a separate table. The user can pick a value from the combo box or enter their own value if it isn't in the list. If they add their own value, it populates this separate table (with a NotInList routine) for future use. If the user enters everything correctly, everything downstream is fine. If not, complications occur.

When and if the user enters a new value, I want to make sure they enter the correct number of characters.

The Input Mask for the combo box is 99\-99999\-99;0; but I'm finding that users have been able to enter values other than what I'm expecting to see, e.g., "-11109-23" or "1-11065-00" or "02-2112-"

Their input must be in the exact format of nn-nnnnn-nn.

How can I make sure that what they enter will be in this exact format with the correct number of numbers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MazeWorX]

change the 9's to 0. 9's indicate it is optional 0 makes it required

HTH << MaZeWorX >> "I have not failed I have only found ten thousand ways that don't work" <<Edison>>

 

[jeffmorl]

Of course. Thank you!