Forum Discussion
Set a minimum number of characters for a SharePoint list Column
Hi everyone,
So I have a SharePoint list with many columns one of them being the social security number.
In order to minimize errors, I would like for people to be able to put 15 characters only. I limited the number of characters to 15 max, and I did some research and tried to put the minimum to 15 through validation but it is not working and I can't figure out why (I did try multiple solutions and spelling).
On the screenshot you can see the validation box, an error message about wrong syntax keeps appearing.
How can I set a minimum number of characters for a column ?
Thank you for your help !
Selma
SelmaA Can you try using List Validation settings instead of column validation?
Also, try using same formula on different list (without data) in same SharePoint site and different SharePoint site (with English language) and see if it is working for you.
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9 Replies
SelmaA Here are some similar threads for reference:
- How to set the minimum length of a single line text in SharePoint online?
- Column validation on a non required field
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SelmaA Are you trying to have the exact 15 characters in the column? If yes, then use formula like:
=IF(ISBLANK([column 1]), TRUE, IF(LEN([column 1])=15, TRUE, FALSE)Use correct display name of your column. Also, as you are using non-English language try using LEN function equivalent in your language.
Note: Sometimes comma( , ) does not work in formula (it is based on language or regional settings on your site). So in that case use semicolon( ; ) instead of comma( , ).
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- Thank you for your reply ! I did try it and still get the same syntax error message (I also tried with semicolon instead of comma and also by using the function equivalent in french).
Could it be that it is not working because I already have data on that column ?SelmaA Can you try using List Validation settings instead of column validation?
Also, try using same formula on different list (without data) in same SharePoint site and different SharePoint site (with English language) and see if it is working for you.
Please click Mark as Best Response & Like if my post helped you to solve your issue. This will help others to find the correct solution easily. It also closes the item. If the post was useful in other ways, please consider giving it Like.
For SharePoint/Power Platform blogs, visit: Ganesh Sanap Blogs
So far I know, you can set a minimum number of characters for a SharePoint list column by using column validation.
In the column settings, under the “Column Validation” section, you can enter a formula to validate the input.
For example, to set a minimum of 15 characters for a single line of text column, you can use the formula =LEN([Column Name])>=15.
Replace [Column Name] with the actual name of your column.
Make sure that the formula is entered correctly and that there are no spelling errors.
I hope that I could help with that!
- Thank you for your reply ! This is what I tried and it is not working and I can't figure out why.
- I'm glad I could help.
I wish you continued success with SharePoint!
