Select the form field you want to configure.
Last updated on
Aug 31, 2026
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This article contains prerelease information. Release dates, features, and other information are subject to change without notice.
Control the format of information recipients can enter in form fields so collected data follows the requirements of the agreement.
Adobe Acrobat Sign provides validation options for supported form fields. Validation defines what constitutes an acceptable value, such as a properly formatted email address, a number within a specified range, or a date in the expected format.
Validation controls how a value must be entered. It doesn't determine whether the recipient must complete the field. Use the Required property when a response is mandatory.
Choose a validation rule
Select a validation rule that matches the information you expect the recipient to provide.
Common validation uses include:
| Information to collect | Validation examples |
|---|---|
| Text | Letters only, numbers only, letters and numbers, email address, maximum length |
| Patterned text | Custom regular expression |
| Numbers | Numeric values, minimum or maximum values, numeric ranges |
| Formatted numbers | Phone numbers, currency, time, percentages, Social Security numbers, ZIP and postal codes |
| Dates | Standard or custom date formats |
The validation options available depend on the field type.
See Form field properties for the properties supported by each field type.
Configure validation for a field
Open Customize field.
Locate the validation settings for the field.
Choose the validation rule that matches the expected recipient input.
Configure any additional values required by the rule, such as a minimum and maximum value, date format, or custom expression.
Review the field and its expected input before continuing.
The recipient must enter a value that satisfies the configured rule.
Validate text input
Text validation can restrict the characters or format recipients enter.
Depending on the configuration, you can require input such as:
- Letters only.
- Numbers only.
- Letters and numbers.
- A valid email address.
- Text that matches a custom regular expression.
- Text within a configured maximum length.
Use a custom regular expression when the required format isn't covered by a standard validation option.
Validate numbers and formatted values
Number validation can restrict the allowed value or require a recognized format.
You can use validation for values such as:
- A minimum value.
- A maximum value.
- A range between minimum and maximum values.
- Phone numbers.
- Currency amounts.
- Times.
- Percentages.
- Social Security numbers.
- ZIP or postal codes.
When you configure a minimum and maximum, ensure the maximum is equal to or greater than the minimum.
Validate dates
Use date validation when recipients must enter dates in a specific format.
Choose the expected date format or configure a custom format when necessary. Recipients are prompted to provide a date that matches the configured format.
Use validation with Prefilled text
If a field includes Prefilled text, the prefilled value must conform to the validation rule configured for that field.
For example, an Email validation rule requires a prefilled email value to use a valid email format.
When you change a field's validation, review any existing Prefilled text to make sure the value still satisfies the new rule.
Things to know
- Validation controls the format or allowed value of recipient input; Required controls whether the recipient must provide a value.
- Validation options vary by field type.
- Custom regular expressions must use a valid expression and should be tested against the values you expect recipients to enter.
- A configured maximum character length limits the amount of text that can be entered; resizing the visible field doesn't change that configured limit.
- Use Form field properties to determine which validation capabilities are available for a particular field.
