Forum Discussion

JR2020610's avatar
JR2020610
Copper Contributor
Sep 08, 2020
Solved

Creating a format restriction for a phone number

Is there a way to set up a format restriction for a Text field for a phone number?  For example, 123-456-7890.

 

Thanks in advance!

  • Hi JR2020610 

     

    Microsoft Forms doesn't allow for that type of formatting unfortunately.

     

    I'd suggest using the subtitle to show an example of the desired format to help responders fill it in right.

     

    If you were using Power Automate to capture the results, you could also manipulate the number into a the desired format using an Expression.

     

    Hope that helps with some ideas.

     

    Best wishes

    Damien

     

     

4 Replies

  • A 'Text' Restriction that 'Contains' a dash.  This allows for phone number format, as well as international numbers.  It also allows for input containing any amounts of dashes, and/or alphanumeric characters when specific sequencing is desired.  However, formatting is not enforced, and it also DOES NOT force a user to input a phone number nor restricts from inputting more nor less characters than the form author desires.  For best practice, add a format instruction and example to the 'Section' title or subtitle. (i.e. Format: 301-225-0000)

     

  • Wade_Hyde's avatar
    Wade_Hyde
    Copper Contributor

    Microsoft Forms stinks in this regard; however, my best practice is to require only numbers in the field and limit entry between 2000000000 and 9999999999.

     

    When you download your results into Excel, convert the fields to numbers (because for some reason the results download as text) and then format the cells using the "special" option for a phone number to generate data such as (201) 555-1212, etc.

  • Damien_Rosario's avatar
    Damien_Rosario
    Silver Contributor

    Hi JR2020610 

     

    Microsoft Forms doesn't allow for that type of formatting unfortunately.

     

    I'd suggest using the subtitle to show an example of the desired format to help responders fill it in right.

     

    If you were using Power Automate to capture the results, you could also manipulate the number into a the desired format using an Expression.

     

    Hope that helps with some ideas.

     

    Best wishes

    Damien