Check user input format

**JSebastianRock** · 10-10-2012, 09:42 AM

Hello!

I'm trying to find a way to verify that user input is in a specific format (specifically "mm/dd/yyyy"). Here's what I got:

Dim r As Long
Dim temp1 As String

r = MsgBox(prompt:="Are there any new records?", Buttons:=vbYesNo)

If r = vbNo Then
    Do
        temp1 = Application.InputBox(prompt:="Enter date of last change (mm/dd/yyyy):")
    Loop While temp1 = "##/##/####" 'This is where the issue comes in

    With Range("A7:I7")
        .Merge
        .Font.Bold = True
        .Interior.Color = RGB(255, 255, 0)
        .Value = "NO CHANGES SINCE " & temp1
    End With
Else
    Call WAWAFormatter
End If

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

**JSebastianRock** · 10-10-2012, 12:07 PM

ttt

*bump*

**Chippy** · 10-13-2012, 07:38 PM

    Dim dateInput As String
    Do
        dateInput = InputBox(prompt:="Enter date of last change (mm/dd/yyyy):")
    Loop Until dateInput Like "##/##/####"

**JSebastianRock** · 10-15-2012, 10:11 AM

Thank you, Chippy

After I read your post, I realized where I went wrong. I was using the Like function at first, but I was using "Loop While" instead of "Loop Until." Of course, VBA wasn't accepting anything in that date format, but it was accepting everything that wasn't in the format. So tedious, my logic.

**ducky_yeng** · 10-15-2012, 11:32 AM

In addition to Chippy's suggested code. It is worth checking that the date is valid by using IsDate VBA function. This will ensure that the user has not incorrectly entered an invalid date (e.g. 29/02/2011, 31/09/2012), which can easily be done as there is no validation on the input.

**JSebastianRock** · 10-15-2012, 11:58 AM

Thank you, ducky

A combination of the LIKE with the added ISDATE method is exactly what I was looking for. Now, the code checks for a date in a specific format using dual nested DO LOOPS. A rather short solution, I might add.