Vladi Gubler
Vladi Gubler
February 14, 2013
Stay in the know
Get helpful videos

Hello,

We received this question from a client and wanted to share the answer with all of you, as many SharePoint users could find it useful.

The customer wanted to set up validation rules on a task list using Smart List Pro in such as way, that users would be allowed to change the task status only in a specific order:

  • Not Started
  • In Progress
  • Completed

So, for instance, a task that is not started cannot be change to Completed without first going through In Progress stage.

To do so, we would need to store the previous value of the status column. This value, hidden from users, will be filled out automatically and used by our validation rules. We will need to install both Smart List Pro and Smart ID Pro for this to work.

  • Add Old Status column to the list (it can be simple single line of text). Do not add it to the default view.
  • Using Advanced column permissions, set the column to be hidden in all forms, users do not need to see it.
  • Using Smart ID Pro set a rule to set Old Status column to the value of Status column

ID settings

Now we are ready to set up our validation rules.

Validation Rules

Number of rules is according to the number of status options, 3 in this case. For instance, rule #1 checks that the status value does not equal Completed when Old Status (the value of Status prior to attempted change) is equal to Not Started. This makes sure you cannot change from Not Started directly to Completed. The other two rules work in the similar way. The second rule makes sure you cannot change from In Progress back to Not Started. The third rule makes sure you cannot change Completed status to anything else.

You can also add rules to exempt your administrator, so you will have the ability to still change the values if a mistake was made. This is not shown here, but can be added just as easily.

When a user attempt to make an illegal change, he/she is blocked and the error message is shown:

Validation Error

 

Loading...

Add your comment

Comments are not meant for support. If you experiencing an issue, please open a support request.
Products
In this post I'm going to go over the Signature component of our Ultimate Forms. I will explain how it can help your SharePoint system meet federal regulations, like FDA 21 CFR Part 11.SharePoint is a great tool for managing all kinds of data: documents, business processes, you name it. Coupled with a Single Sign-on, entering data is a breeze,...
Products
When we started to develop Ultimate Forms, we did not position it to be an InfoPath competitor or replacement. We aimed to create a platform that helps our customers use SharePoint better. We wanted to close the gap between their needs and what SharePoint can do. This way, they wouldn't have to spend money on expensive custom development. We did...
Products
Vladi Gubler | April 30, 2025
If you’ve ever used Survey lists in SharePoint, you’re likely familiar with a powerful and often underappreciated feature: the Rating Scale column. This special column type presents a matrix of statements or questions alongside a numeric scale, typically used for gathering structured feedback. The idea is simple but incredibly effective - allow...
Build powerful business applications in SharePoint using only your browser.
100% No-Code Solution
It’s never been easier to create, innovate, and share. All you need is your web browser!
Cost-Effective
Address business process pain points immediately. Save time and money.
Fantastic Support Team
In addition to our responsive support team, a wide variety of resources, documentations, tutorials, blogs and webinars is available to you
Microsoft partner logo
© 2005-2025 Infowise Solutions Ltd. All rights reserved.
Privacy | Cookie Policy | Accessibility | Cloud SLA