Validation rules ensure that data entered into an attribute meets defined criteria. Validation is applied when a record is saved from a screen and when a record is written by a process. If validation fails, the record is not saved and an error message is shown or written to a notification.
Validation rules apply to individual attributes. For more complex cross-record or cross-object validation, use a process instead.
How Validation Works
A validation rule consists of one or more basic validations - individual comparison checks that each return True or False - and an optional formula that combines those checks using AND, OR, and NOT logic. If no formula is defined, all basic validations are combined using AND by default.
Step 1 - Create the Validation Rule
Open the Configuration application and navigate to Validation \> Validation.
Click New.
Enter a clear, meaningful Name.
Optionally enter a Message to display if validation fails. If left blank, the platform generates a message automatically.
Leave the Formula blank for now.
Enter an Audit Comment and click Save and Refresh.
Step 2 - Add Basic Validations
Select your validation rule.
In the Basic Validation section, click Edit, then Add.
Enter the number of basic validations required and click Add.
For each basic validation, define:
Term - a short identifier for the rule, used in the formula (e.g.
GE10,LT100)Function - defines how the attribute value is interpreted before comparison (see table below)
Operator - defines the comparison logic (see table below)
Value - the value to compare against; if using Regex, enter the regular expression here
Enter an Audit Comment and click Save and Refresh.
Step 3 - Define the Formula (Optional)
If the default AND combination of all basic validations is not sufficient, define a custom formula.
Click Edit on the validation rule.
Enter the Formula using AND, OR, NOT, and brackets.
Example:
(GE10 AND LT50) OR (GE80 AND LT100)
This allows two valid ranges while rejecting values in between.
Step 4 - Apply the Rule to an Attribute
Navigate to Objects \> Objects and select the relevant object.
Edit the required attribute and select the validation rule from the Validation field.
Enter an Audit Comment and click Save and Refresh.
The rule runs whenever the attribute value is saved.
Validation Functions
Function | Description | Suitable For |
Value | Uses the attribute value directly | All types |
Length | Number of characters | String, Text, HTMLText, Reference |
Lower | Converts to lowercase before comparison | String-based types |
Upper | Converts to uppercase before comparison | String-based types |
Trim | Removes leading and trailing spaces | String-based types |
Year | Extracts year (YYYY) | Date, DateTime, Timestamp |
Month | Extracts month (MM) | Date, DateTime, Timestamp |
Day | Extracts day (DD) | Date, DateTime, Timestamp |
Hour | Extracts hour (HH) | Date, DateTime, Timestamp |
Minute | Extracts minute (mm) | Date, DateTime, Timestamp |
Second | Extracts seconds (ss) | Date, DateTime, Timestamp |
Round | Rounds number using ROUND_HALF_EVEN logic | Integer, Number |
Floor | Rounds down to nearest whole number | Integer, Number |
Ceiling | Rounds up to nearest whole number | Integer, Number |
Validation Operators
Operator | Meaning |
Equal To | Exact match |
Not Equal To | Must differ |
Greater Than | Strictly greater |
Greater Than or Equal To | \>= |
Less Than | Strictly less |
Less Than or Equal To | \<= |
Contains | Must contain specified characters |
Does Not Contain | Must not contain specified characters |
Empty | Must be null |
Not Empty | Must have a value |
Regex | Entire value must match regular expression |
Important Notes
Validation applies only if the attribute is required or has a value. Blank values on non-required attributes are not validated.
String comparisons using greater/less than are based on ASCII values.
Keep validation rules simple and use meaningful Term names.
Always provide a clear custom message for complex logic so users understand why their input was rejected.