---
title: "Require Alphanumeric Characters in Form Response"
slug: "require-alphanumeric-characters-in-form-response"
status: "new"
updated: 2026-07-21T20:17:12Z
published: 2026-07-21T20:17:12Z
canonical: "knowledge.technolutions.net/require-alphanumeric-characters-in-form-response"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Require Alphanumeric Characters in Form Response

If you want to require alphanumeric characters in a [form](/v1/docs/forms-overview) response, you can use a format mask and a simple regular expression (regex) string to match your required pattern.

> [!TIP]
> ⭐ Get Inspired
> 
> This article was adapted from [a post by Technolutions staff](https://community.technolutions.net/get-inspired/post/using-regex-to-ensure-alphanumeric-characters-are-used-in-a-text-box-2Ozrya6p5DaihlG) in the Slate Community Forums' Get Inspired space. Have a great idea for a Get Inspired post? [Let us know](https://community.technolutions.net/get-inspired/new?post_type=gnHx7As1gZ8r6Ld)!

## Before you begin

- This article assumes basic familiarity with regex syntax.
- To add a format mask to a form field, select **Edit Field** on the field and enter the value in **Format Mask**.
- If you need a broader introduction to format masks, start with [Format Mask in Forms](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/format-mask-in-forms).
- Test every regex pattern thoroughly before using it in production.

## Example: match the word `Slate`

The examples below show progressively stricter ways to match the word `Slate` in a text field.

### Match `Slate` anywhere in the value

Use this format mask:

```plaintext
/Slate/
```

This pattern matches any value that contains the exact text `Slate`.

Examples that match:

- `Slate`
- `My Slate account`

Examples that do not match:

- `slate`
- `SLATE`

Use this when capitalization must remain exact and the value can contain other text before or after the word.

### Match `Slate` or `slate`

Use this format mask:

```plaintext
/[Ss]late/
```

`[Ss]` tells the regex engine to match either uppercase `S` or lowercase `s`.

Examples that match:

- `Slate`
- `slate`
- `using slate today`

Examples that do not match:

- `SLATE`
- `sLATE`

Use this when the value may contain other text, but you want to allow only these two common capitalizations of the word.

### Match `Slate` or `slate` as a standalone word

Use this format mask:

```plaintext
/\\b[Ss]late\\b/
```

`\\b` marks a word boundary. This prevents the pattern from matching `Slate` as part of a longer word.

Examples that match:

- `Slate`
- `slate`
- `Slate!`
- `Welcome to Slate today`

Examples that do not match:

- `slates`
- `slatework`

Use this when the word must appear on its own, even if other text is also present in the field.

### Match only `Slate` or `slate`

Use this format mask:

```plaintext
/^[Ss]late$/
```

`^` anchors the pattern to the beginning of the value, and `$` anchors it to the end. Together, they require the full value to match the pattern.

Examples that match:

- `Slate`
- `slate`

Examples that do not match:

- `Slate!`
- `My Slate account`
- `slates`

Use this when the field should accept only the single word `Slate` or `slate`, with no additional characters.

### Match only `Slate`, `slate`, `Slate!`, or `slate!`

Use this format mask:

```plaintext
/^[Ss]late(?:[!]|$)$/
```

This pattern still requires the full value to match from beginning to end, but it also allows an exclamation point at the end.

Examples that match:

- `Slate`
- `slate`
- `Slate!`
- `slate!`

Examples that do not match:

- `Slate?`
- `My Slate!`
- `slates`

Use this when you want to allow a very specific punctuation variation without accepting other trailing characters.

## Choose the right boundary

Use `\\b` when the word can appear inside a longer sentence but still needs to stand on its own.

Use `^` and `$` when the entire field value must match the pattern.

## Validate the result

After adding a regex format mask:

- Test values that should pass.
- Test values that should fail.
- Check variations in capitalization, punctuation, and spacing.
- Remember that changing a format mask does not automatically reformat existing saved values. Existing data updates when the tab is edited and resaved.

## When regex may not be the best tool

Regex works well for text-pattern validation, but it is not always the simplest solution.

If the requirement depends on other fields, multiple conditions, or business logic, consider using [calculation formulas](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/using-formulas-in-queries) or [submission conditions](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/access-and-submission-conditions) instead.