Date Input Expression Builder

[Nela817]

Hello,
I am trying to create an expression that will control a users date input in reference to a pervious field.

This is what I currently have: [Field 1]<=[Field 2]<=[Field 3]<=[Field 4]<=[Field 5]

Field 1 has an expression/Validation rule of: <=Now()

Essentially, I want the first field to have a date input of today or earlier (which I have), then each field after that to have a the same rule but instead of the 'Now' I want it from the previous date that was inputted. The above long expression does not work, and I do not know how to fix this.

So example if today I finished field 1, I would put today's date, if I finished field 2 today, I would put todays date, HOWEVER field 2 can not be finished before field 1 (same goes for the rest of the fields). So all fields can be finished on the same day or later from each other. BUT not in the future, so today I am on field 2 and I anticipate finishing tomorrow, but I have to wait till tomorrow to put the date in.

Please help!

 

[Micron]

I am trying to place this in a table.

Then the answer is in post 3 where I asked where you were doing this. I also said this would work in form code; you'd have to use the syntax from post 2.

 

[xenou]

Would it be better to do this as a form rule?
I'm still new with this, I appreciate your patience.

Yes I think as Micron explained, table validation rules won't let you compare fields. It would be better to have a form for inputting data and add your logic to the form. Form validation is a topic you can find many examples of if you search, but in short, you can create a Form_BeforeUpdate() event that tests the important logic and can cancel the update is the rules aren't met. Or you can create a Control_AfterUpdate() event on the individual fields that tests the logic and provides similar functionality to prevent invalid data. Or both.

A simple rule that might work is just to say that all these fields cannot be entered with data earlier than the current date. Then you wouldn't be able to backdate any data (unless some special way to override is provided) but it would ensure that the latest dates are always newer dates. Again, that would probably have to be done in a form as a form validation rule for data input.