SharePoint DateTimeControl Validation
I have been using a DateTimeControl for a custom webpart and it is really nice (especially because I get a similar look and feel to the DateTimecontrols on the SharePoint list). However, I noticed one small drawback with it – Validation.
Internally the DateTimeControl of SharePoint is just a calendar dropdown and a text box. Also, they already implemented a simple required field validation by just using the IsRequiredField property. However, if you try to put an asp.net validator (i.e.: CompareValidator, RegularExpressionValidtator, etc…) on it, it says it can’t find the control. This is happening because the DateTimeControl is just a wrapper around this textbox and if you set the Validator ControlToValidate property to the DateTimeControl it isn’t smart enough to know to really validate against the actual textbox.
So, how do we accomplish this. Actually, it is pretty easy – SharePoint is giving an ID to that Textbox programatically and this ID is the same name as your control with the word “Date” added to the end.
So, in your ControlToValidate just put “{nameofcontrol}${nameofcontrol}Date”.
Here is an example:
<SharePoint:DateTimeControl ID="dteDemo" runat="server" DateOnly="true" />
<asp:CompareValidator id="valDate" runat="server"
ForeColor="Red"
ControlToValidate="dteDemo$dteDemoDate"
Type="Date"
Operator="DataTypeCheck"
ErrorMessage="Please enter an valid date">
</asp:CompareValidator >
Greg Galipeau's Weblog 
brilliant…was stuck…your post helped me greatly…thanks 🙂
The post is really helpful!
Thanks a lot!
Really clear description of the problem
And nice solution
If you use compare validator and enter invalid date in textbox. the invalid date message will come but the error message will not get clear if you select the correct date from the calendar image icon.
This seems to only validate the date, Is there a way to specify Date and Time.
Thanks!
Brad
I’ve tried your suggestion, but have trouble with the control name – on my DateTime fields, the names wind up something like:
<input … name=”ctl00$m$g_0482d57d_fb6e_4f7d_883d_3e554001deb5$ctl00$ctl04$ctl02$ctl00$ctl00$ctl04$ctl00$ctl00$DateTimeField$DateTimeFieldDate” …
Any suggestions?
Gaurav,
I had the same problem and was able to fix it by forcing a client-side validation. Just set the OnValueChangeClientScript property to “Page_ClientValidate(\”\”);”
Hope this helps,
Brad
Genious!
For people who want to use the DateTimeControl within an InputFormSection, beware that you must encapsulate it within an InputFormControl in order to get the styling right. Also make sure you put the validators within the Templace_Control of the InputFormControl or else the trick described in this post won’t work.
For example:
Appearantly this forum can’t handle HTML tags in postings too well. Another attempt for the example:
>wssuc:InputFormSection runat=”server” ID=”MyDateSection” Title=”Enter your date” Description=”This is the place where you can enter a date”<
>template_inputformcontrols<
>wssuc:InputFormControl runat=”server”<
>Template_Control<
>SharePoint:DateTimeControl ID=”MyDatePicker” runat=”server” DateOnly=”true” /<
>asp:CompareValidator ID=”MyDateCompareValidator” runat=”server” ControlToValidate=”MyDatePicker$MyDatePickerDate” Type=”Date” Operator=”DataTypeCheck” ErrorMessage=”Invalid date” /<
>/Template_Control<
>/wssuc:InputFormControl<
>/template_inputformcontrols<
>/wssuc:InputFormSection<
Almost right. Last attempt:
<wssuc:InputFormSection runat=”server” ID=”MyDateSection” Title=”Enter your date” Description=”This is the place where you can enter a date”>
<template_inputformcontrols>
<wssuc:InputFormControl runat=”server”>
<Template_Control>
<SharePoint:DateTimeControl ID=”MyDatePicker” runat=”server” DateOnly=”true” />
<asp:CompareValidator ID=”MyDateCompareValidator” runat=”server” ControlToValidate=”MyDatePicker$MyDatePickerDate” Type=”Date” Operator=”DataTypeCheck” ErrorMessage=”Invalid date” />
</Template_Control>
</wssuc:InputFormControl>
</template_inputformcontrols>
</wssuc:InputFormSection>