Hi Sam.

>>Thanks for reply. I think Trigger validation is too late for the user- you w ant some local field validation as they navigate down form and some in final check on update (trigger ok here). You still have the problem of ugly standard message box - Do you know there any way to intercept this with error trapping ? <<

You can customize the message displayed when the rule is violated by adding validation text to the field. The text you enter is displayed instead of the default error message.

To add a custom error message to a field-level rule

In the Table Designer, enter the error message you want in the Message box in the Field validation area.

-or-

Use the optional ERROR clause with the CHECK clause of the CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE commands.