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**#VALIDATE(** //expression,message// **)**

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| **#VALIDATE** | Validates the data entered into the immediately preceding #PROMPT field. |
| //expression// | The expression to use to validate the entered data. |
| //message// | A string constant containing the error message to display if the data is invalid. |

The **#VALIDATE** statement validates the data entered into the #PROMPT field immediately preceding the #VALIDATE. The //expression// is evaluated when the OK button is pressed on the Procedure Properties window. If the //expression// is false, the //message// is displayed to the programmer in a message box, and control is given to the #PROMPT field that immediately precedes the #VALIDATE. There may be multiple #VALIDATE statements following a #PROMPT to validate the entry. A #PREPARE structure may follow a #PROMPT prior to the #VALIDATE, but no other template statements are valid between #PROMPT and #VALIDATE, including template comments.

**Example:**

**#PROMPT('Input Value, Even numbers from 100-200',@N3),%Value**

**#VALIDATE****((%Value > 100) AND (%Value <; 200),'Value must be between 100 and 200')**

**#VALIDATE****((%Value % 2 = 0),'Value must be an even number')**

**#PROMPT('Screen Field',CONTROL),%SomeField**

**#PREPARE**

** #FIX(%Control,%SomeField)**

**#ENDPREPARE**

**#VALIDATE****(%ControlType = 'LIST','Must select a list box')**

**#PROMPT('Select Change Date/Time Group:',FIELD(%Primary)), %ChangeDateGroup,REQ**

**#PREPARE**

**#FIX(%File,%Primary)**

**#FIX(%Field,%ChangeDateGroup)**

**#ENDPREPARE**

**#VALIDATE****(%FieldType = 'GROUP','Change Date Group must be of type GROUP!')**

**See Also:     [[ prompt entry types.htm|#PROMPT]]**