Field validation / Adjustment of an automation

Hey @mirkolando, 

Let's do it step by step sharing my best practices for this case. 

Please create a formula field that will display the message "Dates correct" or "Deadline should be before the {start date}". This saves you the runs for one automation, and actually, you don't need this automation! User can update their input right on the interface. 

Did you try this solution? 

Thanks 
Dimitris Goudis

Hi
Please clarify the context.
I don't remember possible ways of interface forms validation, but even in old form view you can use workaround to deny submit for such records. Add conditional (when deadline is before start) single select with no options and mark as mandatory filled. Add good description.
When you can't construct condition with built-in elements, do it by formula field, then check for OK/notOK

There are several possible ways to react on moving start after deadline. It depends on what is allowed for user
- Set start date to be record creation date.
- Let user change start date and duration (days). Make duration a number, disallow negative numbers.
- Add formula to display user that such value is '⛔Invalid Deadline📆' (use emojii to make warning better visible)
- Add duration formula, add hidden field 'default duration' filled at starting point. If duration became negative, move deadline to a point where duration is equal to default.

@mirkolando 

Airtable does not support field validations outside of a few validations on interface forms.

So if you want to get Airtable's limited validations, you could only do this if you are creating brand new records through an interface form.

For editing existing records, you can create a formula field to let people know if they have successfully passed the field validation or not.

You could also run an automation instead of a formula, but because automations have a delay, your users won't see the results for 6-7 seconds.

However, when creating brand new records through a form, you can get many more advanced field validations by using Fillout's advanced forms for Airtable instead of Airtable's native forms.

Hope this helps! If you’d like to hire an expert Airtable consultant to help you with anything Airtable-related, please feel free to contact me through my website: Airtable consultant — ScottWorld

@TheTimeSavingCo this worked well for the mails. Thank you 

@Dimitris_Goudis good idea, thanks a lot!