Question validation

We can apply validation to certain types of text entries. For example, we can ensure that a phone number or email address is correctly formatted.

Validate postcodes

Activity

1. Click Add field.
2. Choose Text box.
3. Type Postcode in the Field Label and type postcode in the Variable Name.
4. In the Validation field, select Postal code (Australia). This will ensure only four numerals can be entered into the field.
5. In the Field note field, type “Providing your postcode is optional. We collect approximate residency data to assist with interpreting trial results.”
6. Click Save.

Validate emails

Activity

1. Click Add field.
2. Choose Text box.
3. Type Email in the Field Label and type email in the Variable Name.
4. In the Validation field, select Email. This will ensure only correctly formatted emails can be entered into the field.
5. In the Identifier field, select “Yes”.
6. Click Save.
7. Click Return to list of instruments.

Validate dates

Activity

1. Click Add field.
2. Choose Text box.
3. Type Date of Birth in the Field description and type dob in the Variable Name.
4. In the Validation field, select Date (D-M-Y). This will ensure only dates can be entered into the field.

Validate numbers

Activity

1. Create two new text box fields: for Height (cm) (Variable Name: height_cm) and Weight (Kg) (Variable Name: weight_kg) using the instructions above.
2. For each one, set the Validation to Integer. This will ensure only numbers can be entered into the field.