Validating List Columns SharePoint 2010

SharePoint 2010 provides the feature to validate list columns by using formulas. The validation can either be done at the column level or at the list level.

Column Validation

Example: You have a list for entering Orders and one of the conditions is the applicant has to be of age 20 or above to order .

• Create a Column named Age
• Select Number as the type
• In the Column Validation field enter the following

=[Age]>=20

• In the User message field, enter a message that is displayed to the user when validation fails

• Click OK to complete

List Validation

Use List validation to validate a column value with another column value in the same list.

Example:  When an order for an item is entered, validate that the quantity requested is less than the available quantity

• Create two Columns named Quantity Available and Order Quantity respectively
• Select Number as the type for both columns
• Click OK to complete the column creation.

Validation Settings

• Click List Settings and choose Validation settings

• In the Formula field, enter

=[Quantity Available]>[Order Quantity]

• In the User message field, enter a message that is displayed to the user when validation fails
• Click Save

What to be aware

• You cannot reference a column in a different list
• Column ID cannot be referenced in a formula

Test the validation

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