lets try this again i created a mask edit contol mskPhone=(###)-###-####

two problems that i need resolved
first one is to clear the numbers after they
are saved into a file

second is getting a error message box to be promted when the user forgets to enter text or enters it incomplete. I have tried several ways but to no avail i thought this would work but not

if mskphone <> "(###)-###-####" then
msgbox"please enter a phone number ",vbexclamnation
check_user_data=false
exit function

this works all the time even when it is enter properly

[This message has been edited by Jessie (edited 11-23-1999).]