Format specification for fields and identifiers
While specifying the field format or creating a field specification for a field exception, type a Specification 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.
Symbol | Meaning | Example |
N | Numeric characters | Example: N(7)
Meaning: A seven-digit numeric field. Field: 1234567 |
A | Alphabetic characters | Example: A(2-5)
Meaning: An alphabetic field containing two to five characters. Field: Abc |
X | 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 |
W | White space | Example: N(3)WN(2)
Meaning: A field containing three digits, a space, and two more digits. Field: 123 45 |
S | 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 |
- | 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 |
* | Remove any character | Example: N(3)**
Meaning: The last two characters are removed. Field: 1234# Output: 123
* can only be used at the beginning or end of
format specifications.
|
. | 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 |
^ | Disallowed character | Example: N[^0]
Meaning: Any single digit except 0. Field: 2 |
( ) | Required | Example: A(5)
Meaning: The field must contain five alphabetic characters. Field: Abcde |
[ ] | Specified character (case sensitive) | Example: N[139]
Meaning: A single digit that can be 1, 3, or 9. Field: 3 |
{ } | Multiple formats | Example: {N(5)|N(10)}
Meaning: Either a five-digit field or a ten-digit field. Field: 12345 |
| | 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 |