Welcome > Form Designer module > Form controls > Basic controls > Properties of a Text Box > Masked Text box

Masked Text box

Text box of type String have additional property to allow you to specify an input mask.

Input masks provide a set format for data entry in a field by using characters and symbols. Anyone who inputs data in that field must follow the pattern defined by the input mask.

When you have several people entering data, masking a field helps maintain consistency and prevents users from entering invalid data.

The following characters are used to specify the mask:

0 Digit Accepts any digit between 0 and 9.
9 Digit or space Accepts any digit between 0 and 9 or space.
# Digit or space Like 9 rule, but allows also (+) and (-) signs.
L Letter Restricts input to letters a-z and A-Z.
? Letter or space Restricts input to letters a-z and A-Z.
& Character Accepts any character.
C Character or space Accepts any character.
A Alphanumeric Accepts letters and digits only.
a Alphanumeric or space Accepts letters, digits and space only.

Note

  • It is possible to use mask characters as literals by prefixing the mask character with '\'. The '\' character can itself be used by entering '\\' in the mask. For example, (000) 000-0000 \\ 999.


  • Optional characters can be left blank. When getting the value, these optional characters are represented as a space.

  • Values that do not satisfy the mask (when required characters have not been entered) will result in the field being cleared when tabbing off the field. Therefore the user can never enter invalid data.

  • Missing optional characters will not result in the field being cleared.

  • A date (day, numeric month, year) in international date format: 00/00/0000

  • Phone number with optional Extension: (000) 000-0000 EXT 999

  • US style phone number with letters (example: (981) 123-SHOP). Allows you to substitute the last four digits with letters. Using the 0 placeholder in the area code section makes the area code mandatory. (000) 000-AAAA

  • UK National Insurance Number (example: PX 63 89 72 A) LL 00 00 00 L

Setting the value displays the value with the mask applied.

  • Design Time:


  • Runtime: