Input Mask problem

[TylerTand]

I have a number field that has three groups of 3 numbers: 123 456 789 or 12 345 678 (8 numbers). When there are only 8 numbers I need to have the first group of number contain 2 numbers and the other two groups to have the other six numbers. If my input mask filled from the right it would solve my problem if the mask was 900 000 000 (filled from the right) but I can't seem to figure this out. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Tyler

 

[neileg]

I'd be tempted to use three controls to capture the three groups. Is that feasible?

 

[TylerTand]

No that won't work the 8 or nine digits are one number set so they can't be separated. I hate to resort to VBA to format the number. If you have any other ideas about how to make the number fill from the right so that all the spots are filled leaving the 9th spot as optional. I appreciate your help.

 

[ajetrumpet]

Tyler,

This shouldn't be too difficult. Have you looked at the character reference for input masks under the help menu? that should give you everything you need to know here about table masks. Maybe you need to ask other questions too? Something like:

*Is the format the same everytime?
*Are spaces allowed? Are they optional?
*Are the numbers supposed to be grouped as they are entered? Or are the numbers entered in one long string, and then concatenated as they are inputted into the table?
*Can you place character separators in between the groups? Like "-" or "/", or maybe just a space (" ")?

Can't you force the fill from right to left by preceeding the mask with the Bang symbol (!)? I think that's how you're supposed to do it...

Can you maybe put in something like: !900" "000" "000 ???

 

[neileg]

No that won't work the 8 or nine digits are one number set so they can't be separated. I hate to resort to VBA to format the number. If you have any other ideas about how to make the number fill from the right so that all the spots are filled leaving the 9th spot as optional. I appreciate your help.

Yeah, I understand. You could still have three controls and store the value in one field, but I think Adam's suggestion may be more elegant.