(000) 000-0000

(206) 555-0199

In this case, you must enter an area code because that section of the mask (000, enclosed in parentheses) uses the 0 placeholder.

(999) 000-0000!

(206) 555-0199
( ) 555-0199

In this case, the area code section uses the 9 placeholder, so area codes are optional. Also, the exclamation point (!) causes the mask to fill in from left to right.

(000) AAA-AAAA

(206) 555-TELE

Allows you to substitute the last four digits of a U.S. style phone number with letters. Note the use of the 0 placeholder in the area code section, which makes the area code mandatory.

#999

-20
2000

Any positive or negative number, no more than four characters, and with no thousands separator or decimal places.

>L????L?000L0

GREENGR339M3
MAY R 452B7

A combination of mandatory (L) and optional (?) letters and mandatory numbers (0). The greater-than sign forces users to enter all letters in uppercase. To use an input mask of this type, you must set the data type for the table field to Text or Memo.

00000-9999

98115-
98115-3007

A mandatory postal code and an optional plus-four section.

>L<??????????????

Maria
Pierre

A first or last name with the first letter automatically capitalized.

ISBN 0-&&&&&&&&&-0

ISBN 1-55615-507-7

A book number with the literal text, mandatory first and last digits, and any combination of letters and characters between those digits.

>LL00000-0000

DB51392-0493

A combination of mandatory letters and characters, all uppercase. Use this type of input mask, for example, to help users enter part numbers or other forms of inventory correctly.