UK phone numbers validation

[Stephen Glynn]

This isn't, I know, strictly speaking an Access question so much as a
question about UK phone numbers, but I'm not sure where else to ask it.

Does anyone know if it's possible to come up with a validation formula
that works for *all* UK landlines and which isn't also so hopelessly
vague that it'll not only allow all valid area code and phone number
combinations but a lot of invalid ones? Well, I suppose it must be
possible but does anyone know what it is?

Note for non-Brits: our landline area codes vary in length according to
where you live. So do our phone numbers. Unfortunately, there's no
simple rule that the area code plus phone number always comprise the
same number of digits.

Steve

 

[Ed Warren]

Being a "Yank", I'm no expert, but you might find something of interest at:

http://www.ukphoneinfo.com/section/tci/sns.shtml

If you know the rules and/or can download a set of valid codes you may have
a slight chance of resolving your issue.

I had enough problems just sorting out UK mailing addresses for a
client. ----

Unfortunately your various coding schemes were put together by UK Engineers
:>

Cheers

Ed Warren.

 

[Ed Warren]

Just took a look at the data file:
the 908xxx codes look interesting!

Ed Warren.

 

[John Nurick]

Formula, no. Function backed by data files based on Oftel code
allocations, yes. But even that wouldn't tell you whether any given
number is valid, merely that the area code exists and there are the
correct number of digits.

 

[Guest]

Hi Steve,

As a Yank who had the pleasure of living near Oxford for 4 year, I'll give
you the same advice that I give my students here in the USA. Don't even try.
Forget about validation or input masks.

Why? The first time someone needs to put in a foreign telephone number, it's
going to blow chunks. I also give the same exact advice for Postal Codes.

Trust your users and beat them severly when they mess up.