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Option A makes available all validation methods listed below; Option B makes the first two available.  Option A can also validate files you created using other software applications.  For step-by-step instructions on using Option A to validate your files, see text file validation steps.

Validation During Data Entry

1. As you are entering data into a form, the program validates your entries.
   
   
2. If an entry fails validation, the program displays a pop-up dialog describing the error; the cell color is also set to pink after you click OK in the dialog and the cursor returns to the field.  Sometimes the invalid entry is erased.
   
   On Option B forms a warning message, “One or more cells contain Invalid Entries”, will appear in the header area of the form.
   
   
3. You do not need to correct the error to continue entering data in the form, but should correct all errors before submitting your report.

Validation When Saving

a File

1. When you save the file, the program asks whether you would like to validate the file first.
   
   
2. If you choose Yes, cells which do not pass validation will be displayed with a pink background.
   
   On Option B forms a warning message, “One or more cells contain Invalid Entries”, will appear in the header area of the form.
   
   
3. Find and correct the highlighted cells.

Validation Using the Validate Menu Item (Option A only)

1. At any time you can validate the data you have entered by clicking the Validate menu item.
   
   
2. If there are errors, the program displays a dialog with the error count and highlights

1. the cells.
   
   
2. Find and correct the highlighted cells.

Validation When Opening a File (Option A only)

When you open an existing file, it is automatically validated. For files that require more than a second or two to validate, a progress bar dialog is displayed.  The dialog contains a Stop button, which you can use to cancel the validation process.  The file will still open if you cancel validation.

If errors are found, then another dialog will display the number of errors found.   After you click OK, the file will be opened and the cells with errors will be highlighted.