>>The char idea with the IAC checking seems to be the right one, but a little different, no inputmask. That fouls up the data entry, but I think I'm we're the right direction. When the field is left, when you check valid H & M, you also check len. If 4, insert : for HH:MM, if len = 3, insert to H:MM form, then redisplay. Something like that will work, it looks like.
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>Why would a inputmask like "99:99" foul data entry? With "99:99" you will always have the time in a "standard/canonic" format in the database and on screen without any programming effort.
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When you enter 435, you get 43:5. My reqs say that when user enters 435 from left of field and exits field, they must get 4:35 on screen. I do not need to show colon until field has been exited, that's why I'm moving in direction of storing colon in field, odd as it may sound. I'm stuck with the reqs...If there's another way around this...?