Validation for No Special Characters in a Phone Number Text Input

[ElizabethK]

Hello,

I have a PowerApp connected to a SharePoint list with a number input box. This textbox is intended for a phone number, but we do not want any special characters. I made the range for the numbers in the SharePoint List 0-9. I tried using the validation:

IsMatch(DataCardValue5.Text,".*[\\\"&Char(34)&"/<>!@#$%^&*()].*") 

But it still is allowing me to type a period. Is there any way to eliminate the period? 

A gif below shows me still able to type the period, but not able to type the - or \ 

Your help is appreciated! Thank you. 

 

[RandyHayes]

@ElizabethK 

Change your pattern to: 

IsMatch(DataCardValue5.Text,"^\d{10}$") 

This will return true if there are no other characters other than 10 digits.

I hope this is helpful for you.

[ElizabethK]

Hey Randy,

I am always thankful for your help.  Your suggestion was good but I do think that I am being mislead by the blog I am following in the first place. I attempted to attach a video for you to see what I was doing, but MP4s are not allowed so I will try to break it down and then add a little gif at the end.

The blog instructs: Add label (under datacard for phone number), set visible property to: 

IsMatch(DataCardValue2.Text,".*[\\\"&Char(34)&"/<>!@#$%^&*()].*")

Under the DisplayMode of your submit button enter this:

If(
 !lblWarning.Visible,
 DisplayMode.Edit,
 DisplayMode.Disabled
)

So forget all of that - if I do these steps but instead use the directions you provided me...it works, but I still can type a period technically and also it doesn't give me the error message I made the label for in the first place.

Thank you as always, @RandyHayes 

[RandyHayes]

@ElizabethK 

Yes, welcome to the world of misinformation in those PowerApps blogs and videos! 😫

For what you are trying to do, your Visible property on the warning label should be:

!IsMatch(DataCardValue5.Text,"^\d{10}$") 

This will display the label if the value is not 10 digits.

If you want to only display it once the user starts to type something in, then change it to the following:

!IsMatch(DataCardValue5.Text,"^\d{10}$") && !IsBlank(DataCardValue5.Text)

Your DisplayMode property for the submit button should be fine (although I would write it a little different as a ! (not) in this case, makes it a little backward in reading...correct, but not mentally easy). So, this would read a little better:

If(
 lblWarning.Visible,
 Disabled,
 Edit
)

Incidentally, the process (in regard to phone numbers) is to consider that a non-formatted, number-only phone number is more specific to your data storage and not to the human factor.  Humans in general, will want to see a formatted number as that makes more sense than 10 digits in a series.

SO, the concept is to provide formatting and allow formatting as much as possible and yet Always convert to digits and validate digits while ignoring formatting. This is a more user friendly and accurate way.

Obviously the choice is yours as the designer, but thought I would mention this.

Here is a little video example:

 

You can see the validity of the number is irrelevant to the formatting.  Users can do either that they like - as long as they provide a valid phone number...that is the end result. 

[ElizabethK]

Hi @RandyHayes 

I've bought you coffee before - but this is just ridiculous. You are so helpful to me, truly, thank you.

So now the special character warning I have displays as soon as I start writing the phone number. I made the visible property of the "must be a number between 0-9" false because it showed up right over the special character label I made. The submit button never appears to disable...which is fine, I don't care really, I just can't have them submitting something with characters.

 

What I am trying to accomplish here is just to ensure that when they put in a phone number, there are no special characters. I have powerautomated the responses of this form to be E-Mailed to a BOT that is being worked on by an IT Team. I agreed to make the information intake portion of the equation but the IT's feedback for me is that they cannot have any special characters in the phone number or it will make the BOT not work. The video solution you provided is the most ideal but beyond my current ability. 

[RandyHayes]

@ElizabethK 

Well, I can say that I certainly appreciate the coffee 🙂 And I'm always happy to help!

So...here is what I would suggest (and I am going to assume that the Phone Number is required in your form).

Actually...before I go into it, I should really verify that - is the Phone Number a required field?

[ElizabethK]

Good question. No phone is not required. The form inquires if they need to update the E-Mail (Yes or No dropdown) or Phone (Yes or No dropdown). Validations will make the "Enter E-Mail" or "Enter Phone" fields appear to provide that information based on the yes or no choice they choose from those two drop downs. If the user filling out the form only needs to update the E-Mail, we don't want them to be stopped by requiring phone - because of that, phone is not required. I have to log off for the day so no rush on this and truly thank you for your help. 

[RandyHayes]

@ElizabethK 

No problem...have a good evening and let me know tomorrow if the following statement is correct...

  IF they choose Yes in the dropdown to update the Phone Number - is it not then required?

There is a method to the madness of my question.  It has to do with the form, the Updates and the disabling of the button...all happy together!

Let me know when you get a chance.

[ElizabethK]

@RandyHayes Answering from my phone now because it’s just that exciting to me!  Your statement is correct, if they select yes, even then it not a requirement to fill out phone. The BOT team requested this field not be required. Unclear as to why. Thank you so much and depending on you time zone have a good afternoon, evening or night! 

[RandyHayes]

@ElizabethK 

I'm Eastern US...so past the end of work here, but just can't break away!

So, here is the logic we need to figure out then.  If the phone number is not required...even if they select the change to be Just the Phone number, then what would make it invalid?

If the user selects Yes and enters nothing...that is good.

If the user selects Yes and enters 1 digit...that is not good.

If the user selects Yes and enters 10 digits (let's say formatted or not)...that is good.

Let me know if that logic is correct.