>Greetings To All
> I'm not sure if my approach is right on this one. I am writing an order entry application. When the user creates a new order, I would like to force him to enter the new order number before progressing to the rest of the details of the order header. I have a textbox that is linked to a memory array object tied to the form as a property. My question is, is it possible to force the user to enter a value into a textbox before moving on? I have tried to do it using the valid method and the lost focus method, but as soon as the user acknowledges the error message, he is allowed access to the rest of the fields on the form. Can a text box be sort of modal or should I launch a new form containing the textbox and make that modal? Appreciation as always to the helpful ones on the thread.
>
>Regards,
>Carmen

I gave up on this a long while ago.

I find it much simpler to do all the validation at once, on saving the record.

I call a function RecordValid(), that loops through a series of rules, stored in a table, evaluating each for the current record.

The user then sees a series of error messages, or warnings, depending on the case, e.g.:

* The following appears in a MessageBox():
Couldn't save changes.

Error: The order number isn't unique.
Error: You have to specify the client.
Error: Date is empty.
Warning: ...

Warnings are situations where the user is alerted, but the record still saved (if there are only warnings, and no errors, of course).

More information on request.