Validation - Unique

[bgscott]

I have a field, item ID, set to auto enter a serial number and validation set to not empty and unique.  If the serial number entered is not unique I do not get an error message when exiting the item ID field.  If I turn off auto enter serial number and manually enter a non unique item ID, I do get an error message when I exit the field.

With auto enter a serial number turned on I only get the non unique error message when I commit the record.  I would like to get the error message when exiting the field when auto enter a serial number is turned on

Any suggestions?

Edited May 28, 2021 by bgscott

[bgscott]

Update.  Found a solution.  Scripted the "New" button"

• new record, which auto enters an item ID
• copy item id
• paste item id

Now when user tabs out of item ID field they will see a message if the item ID is not unique.

Note:  non unique automatic item IDs are happening because over time the user wanted to be able to override the auto enter item ID and enter their own item ID.  I have suggested that we turn off auto enter for the item ID field because now it is pretty useless.

[bcooney]

If the user is allowed to edit the itemid  value, do not  use it as a key in any relationship. Create an Id field for that purpose. It does not need to be visible on any layout. 

[comment]

10 hours ago, bgscott said:

Now when user tabs out of item ID field they will see a message if the item ID is not unique.

This is a bad situation no matter how you look at it. Suppose the auto-entered number is 150, and user overrides it with 200. So 50 records later, they (or another user) will get a validation error without understanding why - and without even entering the ID field. 

The purpose of auto-entering a serial number is to provide a unique and permanent value by which the record can be identified. If users are allowed to override the value, then this purpose is thwarted. I would suggest you re-evaluate the problem, instead of trying to patch it. If they have another way to identify the record (e.g. a barcode), have them enter it into a separate field.

 

Edited May 31, 2021 by comment