Error message for invalid date in text box

Question

Hi,

I have a form with a text box for a date.  How do I generate my own error message if the data entered for the date is invalid?

Thanks,

Phil

Answer 1

You will have to use the form's error event to trap the error. 

Private Sub Form_Error(DataErr As Integer, Response As Integer)

Dim x As String

Debug.Print DataErr

   x = Me.ActiveControl.Name

   If x = "TheDate" And DataErr = 2113 Then

      Response = acDataErrContinue

      MsgBox "Invalid date in TheDate entry."

   End If

End Sub

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John Spencer Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007-2010 The Hilltop Institute University of Maryland Baltimore County

Answer 2

You can also use the control's properties: Validation Rule and Validation Text.  If you need additional information on either, place your cursur in the desired property and press F1.  You can also do this at the table level for your field definition.

Answer 3

If you set the Format property of the text box to a date format, Access will allow only valid dates to be entered. If you want to limit the dates to a range (e.g. no dates in the future), you can use the Before Update event:

Private Sub BirthDate_BeforeUpdate(Cancel As Integer)

    If Me.BirthDate > Date Then

        MsgBox "The birthdate can't be in the future!", vbExclamation

        Cancel = True

    End If

End Sub