Input masks

[Lars Brownies]

I had to make changes to a inhereted database where almost every field in
all tables have input masks. I'm not used to using them as I don't like them
when entering data.

I thought you'd use input masks only for fields like zipcode or phone
number, and in that case you're often restricting yourself because you can't
enter exceptions (for instance zipcodes from other countries).

Is it common practice to use that many input masks? What do you guys usually
do?

Thanks,
Lars

 

[Wayne-I-M]

Hi

I put them in for dates, etc as users like them and it makes it faster to
input data. Also if a specific format is required - eg. 123 ABC and not 123
abc (such as post codes)
But not for telephone numbers as there are some many variations in the layout
eg
01919 1234 234
0039 0123 01010101
etc
etc
Input masks wouldn't work for telephone numbers