Hi Nadya

I'd imagine you'd put a .MaxLength of 9 on the field props and, in its .Valid(), check for LEN( lcSSN) = 9.

Don't think it's a good idea to check validity of SSN (i.e. as in see if it's valid format and/or "on file") until they've committed the typing, i.e. hitting the FIND button. It would annoy me if I made a typo (which DOES happen all the time), and was about to correct it, but the damn system tells me off. "I KNOW! GIVE ME A CHANCE!"

Terry

>Hi everybody,
>
>Just want to check, that there is no Input Mask/Format method to make sure, that all 9 (for SSN) characters are filled by the user?
>
>And also related question: for my search form I would allow to search by social security. What do you think would be a good place to perform a check wheither all 9 chars were entered: on the control lostfocus or on the hitting Find button?
>
>Thanks a lot in advance.