Conditional Formatting Formula

[SparkleTX]

Project: Performance Evaluation Form

Goal: Set up conditional formatting that if anything other than “meets
expectations†is marked, comments are required. For example: if Field 159.3
is changed (since it is automatically selected) then Field 29 can not be
blank.

Problem: I unfortunately cannot figure out how to write this formula and was
hoping someone could help me out with this!!!

Is there anyone out there that can help an aspiring-nerd?

 

[Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]]

Project: Performance Evaluation Form

Goal: Set up conditional formatting that if anything other than “meets
expectations” is marked, comments are required. For example: if Field 159.3
is changed (since it is automatically selected) then Field 29 can not be
blank.

Problem: I unfortunately cannot figure out how to write this formula and was
hoping someone could help me out with this!!!

Is there anyone out there that can help an aspiring-nerd?

I think you are confusing conditional formatting with validation
and/or rules.

Also if Field 159.3 is changed *back* to "meets expectations" then
it's ok for Field 29 to be blank, right? So it isn't about change. Not
really. I think it's about value chosen.

What do you want to happen if the undesired combination occurs? An
alert displayed?

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath

 

[SparkleTX]

Andrew, thank you for your response. I think you're right; a rule may be what
I'm looking for. How can I do this? I'm picturing a checkbox in this field
(159.3), pre-filled with a check next to the phrase "Meets expectations". If
the supervisor/manager filling out the form *removes* the checkmark (by
clicking on it), then the comments field must be filled in (in order for the
form to submit properly).
And, if I understand correctly, you are suggesting that if the checkmark is
removed, an alert of some type should appear in the comments field, to prompt
the user to write some type of remark or explanation? I like that idea. Would
that be a component of the rule?
Thanks!

 

[Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]]

You need SP1.

If there is, say, a drop down with 3 options and a text box for
comments, right click on the drop down and select Properties.

Click the Rule button.

Click Add.

Specify a rule that dropdown = 3 AND textbox is blank

Then add an action display dialog message box with text something
like, "If you select option 3, the textbox must be filled in".

It's not totally foolproof. The user could just ignore the message.

Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath