Formatting ID numbers to insert dashes in between some characters

shaun0406 · #1 12-21-2020, 08:41 AM

Hello, I am a total newbie to VBA, I am currently studying IT and just took an basic java course with the university. In the company I am working with I have been tasked to create a digital form using MS Word.

So my problem is, when a user enter their specific ID requested, 11 characters long, I wanted it to auto format to @@@@-@@@-@@@@ when the user exits the field

I am using word 2010

gmaxey · #2 12-21-2020, 01:27 PM

That would depend on what type of field. If it is a content control in the document itself then something like this

Code:

Private Sub Document_ContentControlOnExit(ByVal ContentControl As ContentControl, Cancel As Boolean)
  Select Case ContentControl.Title
    Case "ID"
      If Not ContentControl.Range.Text Like "####-###-####" Then
        If IsNumeric(ContentControl.Range.Text) And Len(ContentControl.Range.Text) = 11 Then
           ContentControl.Range.Text = Format(ContentControl.Range.Text, "####-###-####")
        Else
          MsgBox "Please enter an eleven digit ID"
       End If
     End If
  End Select
End Sub

shaun0406 · #3 12-21-2020, 02:09 PM

Sorry I didn't specify, I thought I specified which text form field I used.
I am using the legacy text field set to Regular text with max length to 11

from the code you provided, that made sense to me, but is there a keyword to change
"ContentControl" to legacy text field instead?

Thank You

gmaxey · #4 12-21-2020, 02:31 PM

For formfileds, you will have to create a custom procedure and call in when you exit the formfield (see the formfield properties dialog):

Private Sub FormatInput()
Dim oFF As FormField
Set oFF = ActiveDocument.FormFields("Text1") 'Your formfield bookmark name.
If Not oFF.Range.Text Like "####-###-####" Then
If IsNumeric(oFF.Range.Text) And Len(oFF.Range.Text) = 11 Then
oFF.Range.Text = Format(oFF.Range.Text, "####-###-####")
Else
MsgBox "Please enter an eleven digit ID"
End If
End If
End Sub

shaun0406 · #5 12-21-2020, 03:07 PM

I tried the code provided, now it gives me a run time error

Run-time error '6124'
You are not allowed to edit this selection because it is protected

Correct me if I am wrong, the .FormFields() allow the it the field to be access/edit when it is protected. I have the correct form field text option bookmark in the .FormFields()

the debugger highlights oFF.Range.Text = " Format(oFF.Range.Text, "####-###-####")
from my understanding, this should be able to access the protected document oFF is accessing formFields

Just Curious,
does removing the IsNumeric on the If statement allows letters/characters to be typed in instead of just numeric digits?

gmaxey · #6 12-21-2020, 05:16 PM

My fault, you need to use result (not range.text) and to format using alphacharacters, I think something like this:

Code:

Sub FormatInput()
Dim oFF As FormField
  Set oFF = ActiveDocument.FormFields("Text1") 'Your formfield bookmark name.
    If Not oFF.Range.Text Like "????-???-????" Then
       If Len(oFF.Range.Text) = 11 Then
         oFF.Result = Left(oFF.Result, 4) & "-" & Mid(oFF.Result, 5, 3) & "-" & Right(oFF.Result, 4)
       Else
         MsgBox "Please enter an eleven digit ID"
     End If
   End If
End Sub

shaun0406 · #7 12-22-2020, 09:36 AM

That works great. Thank You
It has been a good learning experience

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