Data Validation

[James McIlwrath]

I would like to perform record validation when the user commits a record. For example, if the value of a boolean field = True, I would like to ensure that another field in the same record is empty. How do I do this?

[LaRetta]

You could use this validation, James, attached to your second field:

IsEmpty(SecondField) and Boolean > 0 or Boolean < 1

Unclick 'Validate Only if Field has been Modified' in the calculation box. Oh. I know there are prettier, more clever ways. I just can't think of them.

LaRetta

[James McIlwrath]

Post deleted by James McIlwrath

[LaRetta]

Something is askew then. Attached is my file.

boolean.zip

[James McIlwrath]

No, you were absolutely correct. I'm new to FileMaker and I just didn't understand your approach. Thanks for your attached file. It quickly cleared everything up. Actually, I wanted to ensure that the second field is empty if the boolean field is equal to "Yes" and not empty if the boolean field is equal to "No". Following your example, here is the calculation that acheives this when used as validation for the second field:

IsEmpty(secondfield) and boolean = "Yes" or not IsEmpty(secondfield) and boolean = "No"

Thanks very much.

[LaRetta]

Hi James,

I wondered what would be the criteria if the boolean was false - whether you would allow it to remain blank. And FM7 does not treat Yes/No, True/False, T/F, or Y/N as booleans like prior versions did. I thought you meant 'real' booleans.

Regardless, I'm pleased you have it working for you now.

LaRetta

[-Queue-]

This is where xor comes in handy, too.

IsEmpty(secondfield) xor boolean = "No"

XOR ensures only one statement can be true, but not both. So it implies the inverse.

[James McIlwrath]

Yes, of course. Even better!