UK postcode imput mask (1 Viewer)

YNWA · Nov 29, 2010

Hi all,

Anyone know an imput mask for UK postcodes?

I know there is one built it "LL00 0LL"

But this does not work well when enetering a post code with 1 char (eg. L1 or L21).

Does anyone have a simple work around so when a user enters a post code they are all show like this...

L1 5TT
L22 5TT
WA1 5TT
WA17 5TT

Is it possible?

Cheers
Will

vbaInet · Nov 29, 2010

Have a look through the Sample Databases section or Code section. DCrake has a postcode validation db. You might find the input mask for it too.

Brianwarnock · Nov 29, 2010

I am not convinced that it is possible to get a good input mask as the post code design is so naff, an argument I had with one of the designers.

I cant really remember what we used at the charity I worked for , in Liverpool by coincidence, but I think it started L&&&&& then some C but not sure, but as you can see it merely insists on a Letter to start and a minimum of 6 characters or spaces.

Brian

John.Woody · Nov 30, 2010

L1 5TT
L22 5TT
WA1 5TT
WA17 5TT

You missed one W1A 5TT. I don't try and use an input mask, I just force it in to uppercase.

Simon_MT · Nov 30, 2010

These are the Input Masks I use:

Countries Postcodes Mask >L0\ 0LL;0; >L00\ 0LL;0; >LL0\ 0LL;0; >LL00\ 0LL;0; >LL0L\ 0LL;0; >L0L\ 0LL;0;
These are stored in a Table and put on a Dialog Form and after selection and on another control the Input Mask is set ready for input of the actual postcode.

Simon

vbaInet · Nov 30, 2010

Complex Regular expressions would be the best tool to employ for postcode validation. If I ever get the time I will write one but it would be time consuming so I may not. But like I said, have a look in the Samples Database section or search the Code Repository, there's a UK postcode validation routine there.

vbaInet · Nov 30, 2010

Well, here you go:

http://www.mvps.org/access/modules/mdl0063.htm

And here's one from DCrake (I don't know how he implemented it but have a look):

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=187898&highlight=postcode

YNWA · Nov 30, 2010

Thanks for all your answers.

Although there great tools, all I really want is the post code when entered to be stored in the format of first half space second half.

Eg. L225TT = L22 5TT

I just need the space.

Brianwarnock · Nov 30, 2010

As I said earlier , due to the poor design of the postcode there is no logical way to do this in a mask, the only way to do it would be by code the 3 right characters then a space then the rest as the left most characters.

Brian

Simon_MT · Nov 30, 2010

I use \[space].

Simon

Brianwarnock · Nov 30, 2010

Simon_MT said:
I use \[space].

Simon

But the way I understand it and forgive me if I've misunderstood, you first have to select the correct mask, which I feel defeats the purpose of the exercise.

Brian

Simon_MT · Nov 30, 2010

Brian,

You are quite correct it is a bit of a pain.

First you have to select the Country inserts an Input Mask if there is only one format. Even the States have two because the need to refine ZIP codes, Australia has prefixes WA SA QLD NSW. If only each country had only one Zip or Postcode format.

Simon
Simon

Brianwarnock · Nov 30, 2010

Well as i told the fool I argued with ours, ie the UK, could easily have just had 2 letters and 2 numbers before the space in all cases, nobody in L1 would have been any the wiser if from the start it had been LV11, we will avoid the leading 0 scenario. Yeah I know that there used to be in all probability an old code of Liverpool 11, but we all had to learn new things when the post codes came in.

Brian

Lonemascot · Apr 13, 2013

Ive just used >LAaC\ 0LL. The 2nd and 3rd characters can be either letter or digit with the 4th being a character or space. This can produce a few dodgy results due to input error but at least you can't write a bunch of crap in the field which is mainly what i use it to stop happening.

Let me stress, you can still input an invalid UK postcode but it does allow all of the UK formats:
LL0L 0LL
L0L 0LL
L0 0LL (this one requires a double space) N1--3BN
L00 0LL
LL0 0LL
LL00 0LL

gemma-the-husky · Apr 13, 2013

there are only 122 (from memory) left portions of a post code - so you could always add a specific test to ensure that part of the post code is genuine.

SteveH2508 · Apr 13, 2013

Just to add - there are also characters which are not allowed in the second part of the UK post code.

I do not think you can input mask it properly - I think VBA is probably the only way to go.

UK postcode imput mask (1 Viewer)

YNWA

Registered User.

vbaInet

AWF VIP

Brianwarnock

Retired

John.Woody

Registered User.

Simon_MT

Registered User.

vbaInet

AWF VIP

vbaInet

AWF VIP

YNWA

Registered User.

Brianwarnock

Retired

Simon_MT

Registered User.

Brianwarnock

Retired

Simon_MT

Registered User.

Brianwarnock

Retired

Lonemascot

Registered User.

gemma-the-husky

Super Moderator

SteveH2508

Registered User.

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread