Use this window to define regular expression validation methods.

Formats

This group has the following settings:

Format

You can define one or more regular expression formats, or choose one from a list of predefined formats.

High performance

This mode is available only if a dictionary is used as a format. You can use it to speed up validation, particularly if the dictionary is very large. If this mode is selected, the settings of the dictionary are used instead of the ones defined in this window for this regular expression. (Default: Cleared)

Description

Specify a description for each format. The description is displayed in the list of formats in the table below. (Default: empty)

Error Description

Provide an error description that is displayed when this validation method is applied and there is an error. (Default: Field item does not match any of the given expressions)

The error message is localizable. When you click the button to the right, the Translations window is displayed, where you can define different translations for the text.

Ignore characters

Provide a set of characters that are to be ignored for this format. If these characters are found in the result, they are treated as if they do not exist for validation purposes. (Default: Cleared)

Ignore case

Select this setting to ignore case when validating the results. (Default: Cleared)

Ignore blanks

Select this setting if you want blanks to be treated as if they do not exist for validation purposes. (Default: Cleared)

Format List

As you add formats, they are displayed in table so you can keep track of your regular expressions.

Allow empty field

Select this setting to allow an empty field to be valid. If this setting is not selected, and a field is empty, it is marked as invalid.

However, it is possible that even if this field is empty, it is marked as invalid. This happens if this regular expression validation method is in a sequence and the previous validation method in the sequence has failed. (Default: Cleared)

You can use the following buttons to manage the formats in this validation method:

Button	Description
Delete	Click Delete to remove the currently selected format from the list of available formats.
Add	Click Add to select a predefined format.
Modify	Select a format from the list of available formats, change its properties, and click Modify to save the changes
Clear	Click this button to remove all the settings from the Formats area.

Testing

This group enables you to do the following:

You can test the settings set above by typing some sample text into the Text input string text field and clicking on the Validate button.

A message is displayed below the input field telling you that the entered text is valid, or explains why it is not valid.

The following buttons are available at the bottom of this window:

Button	Description
OK	Closes the window and saves your changes.
Cancel	Closes the window without saving your changes.
Help	Displays the help for the open window.

Related topics:

• Validation tab - Project Settings window

• Set up Validation

• Validation methods

• Regular Expression Validation method