While specifying the field format or creating a field specification for a field exception, type a for the fields as accurately as you can in accordance with the rules described below. Specify barcodes using this system, as well.
Specify how many characters of a certain type are allowed, using the format C(f-t), where C stands for the type of character, f stands for "length from" and t stands for "length to". Spaces are not allowed in the format specification.
Notes:
The format specification for a field is limited to 256 characters.
If a Verify operator tries to approve a field value on an invoice that does not match the format specification or the validation settings, a warning message is displayed, asking the operator to confirm or change the value. The operator can approve a value that does not match the format specification and/or validation settings.
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Symbol |
Meaning |
Example |
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Numeric characters |
Example: N(7) Meaning: A seven-digit numeric field. Field: 1234567 |
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Alphabetic characters |
Example: A(2-5) Meaning: An alphabetic field containing two to five characters. Field: Abc |
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Alphanumeric characters and special characters such as "#", ">", etc. |
Example: X(5) Meaning: A field containing five characters, each of which can be a letter, number, or a special character. Field: Abc3D |
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White space |
Example: N(3)WN(2) Meaning: A field containing three digits, a space, and two more digits. Field: 123 45 |
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A signed number (with a plus or minus sign) |
Example: SN(3) Meaning: A three-digit, numeric field with a plus or a minus sign in front of it. If the number is negative, it is proceeded by a minus sign (-) in the resulting transaction. If the number is positive and is preceded by a plus sign (+), it is proceeded by a plus sign in the resulting transaction. Field: -425 |
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Remove specific characters at the beginning or end of a string |
Example: N(4)-X(0-1)[#] Meaning: The # character, if any, is removed when this four-digit field is transferred. Field: 1234# Output: 1234 |
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Remove any character |
Example: N(3)** Meaning: The last two characters are removed. Field: 1234# Output: 123 Note: * can only be used at the beginning or end of format specifications. |
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Decimal |
Example: N(1-5).NN Meaning: A numeric field containing one to five digits followed by a decimal and two more digits. Field: 24.99 |
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Disallowed character |
Example: N[^0] Meaning: Any single digit except 0. Field: 2 |
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Required |
Example: A(5) Meaning: The field must contain five alphabetic characters. Field: Abcde |
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Specified character (case sensitive) |
Example: N[139] Meaning: A single digit that can be 1, 3, or 9. Field: 3 |
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Multiple formats |
Example: {N(5)|N(10)} Meaning: Either a five-digit field or a ten-digit field. Field: 12345 |
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The "or" operator used to separate multiple formats when more than one is allowed |
Example: {N(5)|N(10)} Meaning: Either a five-digit field or a ten-digit field. Field: 1234567890 |