Field validations
Text form fields can be configured to accept input in a specific style, format, or value range by using the validation options in the properties of the field.
A default Text field allows any combination of letters, numbers, or special characters: `~!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]\{}|;':",./<>?£
When using validation, you limit the type of content or range of content that the data in the field must align to. If the validation isn't passed, a red warning balloon describing the validation rule is displayed. The form cannot be signed until the field is validated.
In the drag-and-drop authoring environment, you set the validation for a field by double-clicking the field and choosing an option from the Validation list.
Available validations are:
String – Allows you to select what data (character types) can be entered, and you can set the maximum length of the entry.
Character Set: Any – The same as no validation; any entry is accepted, letters, numbers, or special characters.
Letters – Only Letters can be entered. Any numbers or special characters present an error message.
Digits – Only Numbers can be entered. Any Letters or special characters present an error message.
Letters and Digits – Only Numbers and letters can be entered (useful for address fields). Any Special character displays an error message.
Maximum Length – Sets the maximum number of characters that can be entered into the field.
For example:
The field only allows letters and digits, so the entry of a special character warns the signer.
Number - Only Numbers can be entered. Any Letters or special characters present an error message:
Value Range - The Value Range is an optional setting. If the value range is not specified, then any numerical value can be entered. You can set the value range if you want to limit the number that can be entered to fit within your chosen range.
For example:
When a number outside the specified range is entered, the warning message appears.
Date – Only a date can be entered into this field, using numbers and backslashes only. By default, the date is set to the US format mm/dd/yy. You can also select the format you want the date value entered by expanding the drop-down list next to Date Format.
For example:
Since the date is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
Review the Custom Date Validation documentation to better understand how to encode the time/date format in Acrobat Sign.
Time – Only allows a time value to be entered using numbers and the colon ‘ : ’ symbol. There is only one Time format available and that is ##:##
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing the format to enter the Time value in.
No text characters are allowed so AM/PM cannot be specified in a field set with a Time Validation.
For example:
Since the time is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
Review the Custom Date Validation documentation to better understand how to encode the time/date format in Acrobat Sign.
UK Post Code – Only allows a UK formatted Post code to be entered.
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing the format to enter the UK Post Code value in.
US Zip – Only allows a five-digit numerical ZIP code to be entered.
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing the format to enter the US ZIP code value in.
US Zip+4 – Only allows a five-digit numerical ZIP code and the four-digit add-on delivery code.
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing the format to enter the US ZIP+4 code value in.
Four-digit add-on delivery code is required when using this validation.
For example:
Since the zip/postal code is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
Phone – This validation only allows a phone number to be entered.
Country US – For the US setting, there must be a ten-digit number entered. There can also be parenthesis, dashes, or blank spaces used to break up the number.
For example, the following formats are all accepted:
1234567890
123 456-7890
123-456-7890
(123)4567890
(123) 456 7890
(123)456-7890
(123) 456-7890
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing an example of the format to enter the US Phone Number value in.
Country UK – For the UK setting, there must be an 11-digit number entered. The first digit must be a zero. There can also be parenthesis or blank spaces used to break up the number
For example the following formats are all accepted:
01234567891
01234 567891
01234 567 891
(01234)567891
(01234) 567891
(01234) 567 891
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing an example of the format to enter the UK Phone Number value in.
For example:
Since the phone number is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
Social Security Number – Only allows a nine-digit number. There are only two accepted formats that are accepted:
123456789
123-45-6789
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing an example of the format to enter the Social Security Number value in.
For example:
Since the social security number is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
E-mail Address - Allows any e-mail address value to be entered. It can differ from the e-mail address associated with the transaction.
When filling in this field, a text bubble appears showing an example of the format to enter the e-mail address value in.
A Text Field with an e-mail Address Field Validation is different from the e-mail Field Type. The e-mail Address Validation allows for any e-mail address to be entered, whereas the e-mail Field Type creates a Read Only Field that is auto-populated with the e-mail address of the signer.
For example:
Since the e-mail address is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
Currency - Allows for a numerical currency value, either with or without the local denomination symbols ($,£), or a decimal point. You can also choose to set a value range.
Country – If the data is entered into the field in the incorrect format, then text bubble appears showing an example of the format to enter the currency value in.
US - allows for the optional use of the $ symbol
UK - allows for the optional use of the £ symbol
Value Range - You can choose to set a range for the currency value that can be entered.
If the incorrect value is entered, a text bubble appears showing the accepted range value set for that field.
For example:
Since the currency is not in the correct format, the warning message appears.
Percent - This validation allows only for a numbers and an optional % symbol. You can also choose to set a value range.
If an incorrect value is entered, a text bubble appears showing the accepted format for a percentage value.
Value Range – You can choose to set a range for the Percentage value.
If the incorrect value is entered, a text bubble appears showing the accepted range value that has been set for that field.
For example:
Since only numbers are allowed in this type of validated field, a warning message appears for the signer.
Custom - Regular Expression - Allows for a custom validation check and error message.
Regular Expression - Used to define the check that either allows or disallows the information entered by the signer.
Error Message - The custom error message which is displayed in the red balloon warning, when validation is not met.
This concept is advanced and has many different uses depending on the situation. For a definition, visit this page.
- Adobe Acrobat Sign does not support "?i" and "?-i" case insensitivity metacharacters
For example:
Only valid major credit card numbers are allowed, so 1234-1234-1234-1234-1234 fails the validation.
Custom - Formula - Used to create a calculation and check against the expected entry or solution to the calculation.
Formula - Either a custom formula can be entered here, or you can use the calculation builder.
Error Message - The custom error message which is displayed in the red balloon warning, when the validation is not met.
For example:
The formula results in a validation which does not allow '0' as a value in this field.
