Data validation ensures that the data entered into a system or database is accurate, complete, and formatted correctly. Here are real-world examples of data validation services that organisations need, highlighting widely used applications and solutions:
API validation example
In this case, the API checks that the data follows the correct format or pattern. For example, ensuring that an email contains an "@" symbol, or that a phone number contains only digits.
Example: Company Information API - this is one of the most common data validation examples. When a company's contact details are entered into a CRM, it validates that fields such as email addresses or phone numbers are in the correct format, preventing invalid contact information from being entered. It can also validate all incoming contact details, or information that already exists in the system or a record.
Range validation example
Another example is range validation tools that verify numerical or date data falls within a specific range. This is useful for validating dates, prices, and other numeric fields.
Example: Google Sheets Data Validation – When setting up data entry rules, you can specify that only values between certain numbers (e.g., only dates within the current year or a number between 1 and 100) can be accepted. This helps prevent errors in budgeting, date management, or other data-sensitive tasks.
Data type validation example
This data validation example of data type checks whether the data entered is of the expected type (e.g., ensuring that numeric fields only contain numbers or that text fields do not contain numbers).
Example: Microsoft PowerApps– A low-code platform where users can build apps and set data type validation rules. For example, if a form has a field for entering a price, PowerApps ensures the field only accepts numerical data.
Uniqueness validation
These tools check whether the data is unique across a certain dataset. This is useful for fields like emails, usernames, or customer IDs, where duplicates would cause issues.
Example: Salesforce CRM– Salesforce allows admins to create validation rules that ensure fields such as email addresses or account numbers are unique across all entries, preventing duplicate customer records.
Data format validation tools
This data validation example validates the structure or format of the data, ensuring that each piece of data follows a consistent format. This is especially relevant for addresses, dates, or alphanumeric sequences.
Example: JotForm – A popular form-building platform, JotForm offers field validation to ensure correct data formats, such as U.S. or international phone numbers, specific date formats, or postal codes, depending on the country.
Application example
These tools connect to databases that hold information and instantly compare your file against the latest data they hold.
Example: IMPROVE App - This tool helps to validate company data in real time by connecting to a database to verify the existence and accuracy of business information such as address and contact details, VAT, directors and much more.
Data validation methods are commonly used with these tools by businesses and organisations to maintain high levels of data quality and integrity, ensuring that data conforms to required standards and preventing costly errors in decision-making processes.
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