ACC: ValidationRule Parses Function Name without Parentheses to String (97512)

SYMPTOMS

When you type an expression in the ValidationRule property of a text box, and the expression contains a function name that has no parentheses or parameters, Microsoft Access evaluates the expression as a string instead of a function.

RESOLUTION

Put parentheses or parameters after all function names so that they can be correctly evaluated as functions instead of text strings. For example, use

   =Date()

instead of:

   =Date

NOTE: For this example to work correctly, after putting parentheses after =Date, you also need to change the Format property of the text box to General Date.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0).
Create a new form not based on any table or query.
Add a new, unbound text box to the form.
On the View menu, click Properties.
In the ValidationRule property of the text box, type the following line, and then press ENTER:

=Date

Note that Microsoft Access automatically changes the expression that you entered from =Date to ="Date."
On the View menu, click Form.
Type a date in the text box.

When you type a date such as 09/08/95 in the text box and then press ENTER, you receive the message, "The value you entered doesn't meet the validation rule defined for the field or control." However, the text box accepts the word "date," which is the word changed by Microsoft Access in the ValidationRule property of the text box.