# MaskedTextbox
**Category:** Field
**Version:** 1.0
**Last Updated:** November 19, 2025
**Author:** Any2Info
***
### **Description**
The **MaskedTextbox** field allows users to enter text, numbers, or symbols in a **predefined format** set by the form creator.
It appears as a standard textbox with **placeholder values** that visually represent the **mask structure**.
This field is ideal when input must follow a specific format — for example, a **postal code**, **phone number**, or **email address**.
***
### **General Properties**
The MaskedTextbox field inherits all [**general field properties**](https://www.notion.so/MaskedTextbox-Field-2a2ea901b1b880d6a736d7ca5c2887e1?pvs=21) such as:
* Font size
* Font color
* Border color
*(If general field properties are documented elsewhere, link to that page instead.)*
***
### **Special Properties**
The MaskedTextbox field includes two special properties:
| **Property** | **Description** |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Type** *(Simple / Email)* | Defines the behavior of the MaskedTextbox. |
| **Mask** | A pattern of characters that determines which input is valid. |
#### **Type**
* **Simple** – Uses the specified Mask for input validation.
* **Email** – Ignores the Mask and enforces standard email formatting rules.
#### **Mask**
A Mask defines the structure of the input and can contain the following characters:
| **Character** | **Meaning** |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `0` | Required digit (0–9) |
| `9` | Optional digit or space |
| `#` | Digit or space (optional), allows `+` or `-` |
| `L` | Required letter (`a`–`z` or `A`–`Z`) |
| `C` | Optional letter or space |
| `A` | Required alphanumeric character (`a`–`z`, `A`–`Z`, `0`–`9`) |
| `a` | Optional alphanumeric character |
> Note:
>
> The **Mask** property only applies when **Type = Simple**.
>
> When **Type = Email**, the mask is ignored.
***
### **Tips & Best Practices**
* **Don’t create your own email mask.** Use the predefined Email type — it automatically enforces correct formatting.
* **Be intentional about allowed input.** Optional mask characters (like `a`) can lead to incomplete input (e.g., `1234` instead of `1234AA` for a postal code).
* **Provide clear instructions** to users if your mask enforces strict patterns.
***
### **Errors**
| **Error Message** | **Meaning** | **Solution** |
| -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| *The input value does not match the format.* | The user’s input does not follow the defined mask. | Adjust the mask or clarify the expected format for the user. |
***
### **Examples**
#### **Simple Mask**
In the following example, the user must enter **four digits (0–9)** followed by **two required letters** (A–Z or a–z).
**Valid examples:**
`0000AA`, `1234Jl`, `4065aa`
**Invalid example:**
`0000a_` (second letter missing)
***
#### **Email Mask**
In this example, the **Type** is set to **Email** and a **Mask** is also defined.
Since the **Email** type takes precedence, the mask is ignored — only valid email addresses are accepted.
***
### **Changelog**
| **Version** | **Date** | **Change** |
| ----------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| 1.0 | November 19, 2025 | Initial documentation version added. |
