Validation message not restricting form from submitting

Question

Hi All 
 
 I am working on version 17.4. 
 In my main form, user is given dynamic links such that clicking on any link will direct the user to the corresponding interface. 
 These interfaces contain required fields. When user is on interface corresponding to link 1 i.e. he clicks on link Form 1 and he clicks on Submit button without entering values in the corresponding required fields; then he gets an error message " A value is required ". Now he clicks on link Form 2 and he is diverted to corresponding interface. Here also all fields are required. User enters values in Form 2 interface but still leaves fields in Form 1 blank then user is allowed to submit the form. 
 This is an unexpected behavior as both interfaces are in one formLayout and since he has not entered values for required fields in Form 1 then he should not be allowed to Submit the form. 
 Below is code snippet for reference. 
 
 /* Code for Main Form*/

load(
 local!firstName,
 local!lastName,
 local!emailId,
 local!mobileNo,
 local!categorySelection:1,
 with(
 a!formLayout(
 label:"Details Form",
 contents:{
 a!richTextDisplayField(
 align: "CENTER",
 value: {
 /*Form 1*/
 " | ",
 a!richTextItem(
 style: if(local!categorySelection = 1, "STRONG", "NORMAL"),
 text: "Form 1",
 link: if(local!categorySelection = 1, null, a!dynamicLink(value: 1, saveInto: local!categorySelection))
 ),
 if(local!categorySelection = 1, {" ", a!richTextImage(image: a!documentImage(document: cons!FIL_ICON_SEARCH))}, {}),
 /*Form 2*/
 "| ",
 a!richTextItem(
 style: if(local!categorySelection = 2, "STRONG", "NORMAL"),
 text: "Form 2",
 link: if(local!categorySelection = 2, null, a!dynamicLink(value: 2, saveInto: local!categorySelection))
 ),
 if(local!categorySelection = 2, {" ", a!richTextImage(image: a!documentImage(document: cons!FIL_ICON_SEARCH))}, {}),
 " | "
 }
 ), 
 if(isnull(local!categorySelection),
 {},
 choose(local!categorySelection,
 rule!MYAPP_Form1(
 firstName:local!firstName,
 lastName:local!lastName
 ),
 rule!MYAPP_Form2(
 emailId:local!emailId,
 mobileNo:local!mobileNo
 )
 )
 )
 },
 buttons:a!buttonLayout(
 primaryButtons:a!buttonWidgetSubmit(
 label:"Submit",
 value:"Submit"
 ),
 secondaryButtons:a!buttonWidgetSubmit(
 label:"Cancel",
 value:"Cancel",
 style:"DESTRUCTIVE",
 skipValidatio:true
 )
 )
 )
 )
)



/*Code for rule!MYAPP_Form1*/

with(
 a!sectionLayout(
 contents:{
 a!columnsLayout(
 columns:{
 a!columnLayout(
 contents:{
 a!textField(
 label:"First Name",
 value:ri!firstName,
 saveInto:ri!firstName,
 required:true
 )
 }
 ),
 a!columnLayout(
 contents:{
 a!textField(
 label:"Last Name",
 value:ri!lastName,
 saveInto:ri!lastName,
 required:true
 )
 }
 )
 }
 )
 }
 )
)





/*Code for rule!MYAPP_Form2*/

with(
 a!sectionLayout(
 contents:{
 a!columnsLayout(
 columns:{
 a!columnLayout(
 contents:{
 a!textField(
 label:"Email Id",
 value:ri!emailId,
 saveInto:ri!emailId,
 required:true
 )
 }
 ),
 a!columnLayout(
 contents:{
 a!integerField(
 label:"Mobile No.",
 value:ri!mobileNo,
 saveInto:ri!mobileNo,
 required:true
 )
 }
 )
 }
 )
 }
 )
) 
 Thanks in advance!!

aloks0189 · Accepted Answer

I believe validationMessage() on submit is the best option here

aloks0189 · Answer

Hi 2 things here: 
 
1. When you to avoid submitting a form when there is a validation presented, then never define skipValidation to true() for button 
 
2. Out of interest, I would like to say, there is a typo i.e. instead of using skipValidation to have used skipValidatio where n is missing, however this won't add any value in preventing the form from submitting it. But it's better to avoid typos. 
 
Conclusion: either delete skipValidation or set it to false() to avoid submitting the form when a validation has been presented 
 
Hope this will help

Dastagiri Dudekula · Answer

Komal, if you want to skip the validation you can implement validationgroup and validate functionality. This will help you to customize field validation to a specific button. So the fields which does not require validation upon specific button can be avoided. You can try this play by navigating to Adding Validation to Button Components using Validation Groups

Dastagiri Dudekula · Answer

Hi Komal, I went through the scenario. The reason behind your problem definition is simple and functionally correct, when you click on the dynamic link of either form1 or form2 only one form is active and the other form is inactive (stated by your if condition). So the submit button works only on active form. In your case when you selected form1, form1 is activated and then you moved to form2, form2 is active not form1. When you click submit button, the current active form2 is getting validate not form1. I hope this will clarify your doubt. My advise is that if you want all fields validation upon submit, keep all fields directly or fields in sections in a single form.

Dastagiri Dudekula · Answer

Yes. You are right. I just used the terminology you used in the first post to be in sync with you . Any way form1 or form2 resembles section only. But still my explanation justifies your question.

Dastagiri Dudekula · Answer

Your understanding is right. But one clarification is that, main form with single section at a given instance but not multiple sections, because sections are conditioned by if().

Vinay Kumar Rai · Answer

HI Komal, 
 You need an extra validation to achieve the use case 
 Please add blank section, and add the validation on the blank section 
 a!sectioLayout(
 validations: 
 {
 if(isnull(local!firstName),"Please enter the First Name",null),
 if(isnull(local!emailId),"Please enter the Email",null)
 }
) 
 this may solve your problem