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__TOC__
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Regular Expressions must start and finish with a forward slash ("/"). You can find a good library of regular expressions at http://www.regexlib.net/. These patterns will almost all work if surrounded with the forward slash.
Regular Expressions must start and finish with a forward slash ("/"). You can find a good library of regular expressions at http://www.regexlib.net/. These patterns will almost always work if they are surrounded by forward slashes.


To test your regex you can [http://www.regexlib.net/RETester.aspx use this regex tester].
To test your regex you can [https://regex101.com/ use this regex tester].


''Please add successfully tested regular expressions!''
{{Note|To improve this wiki section, we kindly ask you to add your successfully tested regular expression(s) to provide a better understanding of this feature to the new LimeSurvey (potential) users.}}


Examples (note that these are all one line):
{{Alert|title=Attention|text= Please note that all the below examples are written on one line!}}
 
 
=Important: Regular Expressions in conditions=


=SPECIAL NOTE: Regular Expressions in Conditions=


Note that when using regular expressions in the condition editor, do NOT include the beginning and ending slash.
Note that when using regular expressions in the condition editor, do NOT include the beginning and ending slash.


=Email Validation=


<source>
=Email validation=
 
 
Update (12/2018): Since these days domain names cannot only hold special characters like “ü” but also use more than 3 characters as domain name like .''tech'' or .''company'', the below email regex only checks if “@” and “.” exists within the entered email address.
<source lang="html">
/^.+?@.+?\..+$/
</source>
 
If you want to validate one address per line, in a multiline long text field:
<source lang="html">
/^(((\w+([-+.']\w+)*@\w+([-.]\w+)*\.\w+([-.]\w+)*(\r\n)?\n?)+)*)$/
</source>
 
At this outdated regex the domain name is limited to 3 characters which doesn't cover all available domains:
<source lang="html">
/^(\w[-._+\w]*\w@\w[-._\w]*\w\.\w{2,3})$/
/^(\w[-._+\w]*\w@\w[-._\w]*\w\.\w{2,3})$/
</source>
</source>
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==Australian postcodes:==
==Australian postcodes:==


  <nowiki>/^[0-9]{4}/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[0-9]{4}/</source>


==Brazilian postcodes==
==Brazilian postcodes==


  <nowiki>/^[0-9]{2}\.[0-9]{3}-[0-9]{3}$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[0-9]{2}\.[0-9]{3}-[0-9]{3}$/</source>


==Canadian Postcodes:==
==Canadian postcodes==


  <source>/^[a-zA-Z]\d{1}[a-zA-Z](\-| |)\d{1}[a-zA-Z]\d{1}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^[a-zA-Z]\d{1}[a-zA-Z](\-| |)\d{1}[a-zA-Z]\d{1}$/</source>


==US postal codes==
==US postal codes==


  <nowiki>/^[0-9]{5}([- /]?[0-9]{4})?$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[0-9]{5}([- /]?[0-9]{4})?$/</source>
 
For the postal code to start with zero, use:
 
<source lang="html">/^[0-9]{5}(?:-[0-9]{4})?$/</source>
 
==UK postcodes==
 
<source lang="html">/^[A-Z][A-Z]?[0-9][A-Z0-9]? ?[0-9][ABDEFGHJLNPQRSTUWXYZ]{2}$/i</source>
 
Note that this is not very exact, and a more exact validation is much more complex. For example, see [https://stackoverflow.com/questions/164979/uk-postcode-regex-comprehensive StackOverflow answer] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Postcodes_in_the_United_Kingdom#Regular_Expressions Wikipedia] for more information.
 
==French postcodes==


==UK Postcodes:==
<source lang="html">/(^[0-8]\d\d{3}$)|(^9[0-5]\d{3}$)|(^97[1-6]\d{2}$)|(^98[46-8]\d{2}$)/</source>


<nowiki>/^[A-Z][A-Z]?[0-9][A-Z0-9]? ?[0-9][ABDEFGHJLNPQRSTUWXYZ]{2}$/i</nowiki>
The above expression is very precise and it will check whether or not the French Department exists (first two digits), including overseas Departments and overseas Territories (DOM-TOM).


Note that this is not very exact, and a more exact validation is much more complex.  For example, see [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/164979/uk-postcode-regex-comprehensive StackOverflow answer] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Postcodes_in_the_United_Kingdom#Regular_Expressions Wikipedia] for more information.


=Phone numbers=
=Phone numbers=


==US phone numbers==
==US phone numbers==


<source>/^(?:\([2-9]\d{2}\)\ ?|[2-9]\d{2}(?:\-?|\ ?))[2-9]\d{2}[- ]?\d{4}$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\([2-9]\d{2}\)\ ?|[2-9]\d{2}(?:\-?|\ ?))[2-9]\d{2}[- ]?\d{4}$/</source>


or
or


  <nowiki>/^[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{3}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{3}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{4}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{3}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{3}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{4}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}$/</source>


This second option will match all phone Canadian and US phone numbers that include non-digit symbols including
This second option will match all phone Canadian and US phone numbers that include non-digit symbols including:


  <source> . ( ) - (space)</source>
  <source lang="html"> . ( ) - (space)</source>


This will allow you to match phone numbers which resemble below.
This will allow you to match phone numbers which resemble below:
*(555)555 5555
*(555)555 5555
*555.555.5555
*555.555.5555
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*555555555
*555555555


==Australian Phone Number:==
==Australian phone numbers==


The following patterns match all various Australian mobile and landline phone numbers including with "+61" country prefix eg:
The following patterns match all various Australian mobile and landline phone numbers including with "+61" country prefix:
*(02) 9123 6535
*(02) 9123 6535
*03 1234-5345
*03 1234-5345
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The 'Very precise:' versions listed here match against the first four or five digits in a number to ensure that they are valid Australian numbers.
The 'Very precise:' versions listed here match against the first four or five digits in a number to ensure that they are valid Australian numbers.


The 'NOT VERY PRECISE' only match against the first and second digit so may allow invaid numbers.
The 'Not very precise:' only match against the first and second digit so may allow invaid numbers.


===All Australian phone numbers (mobile and landline - area code required)===
===All Australian phone numbers (mobile and landline - area code required)===


VERY PRECISE
Very precise:


<source>/^\(?(?:\+?61|0)(?:(?:2\)?[ -]?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])|3\)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])|7\)?[ -]?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)|8\)?[ -]?(?:5[ -]?[1-4]|6[ -]?[0-8]|[7-9][ -]?[0-9]))(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}|4\)?[ -]?(?:(?:[01][ -]?[0-9]|2[ -]?[0-57-9]|3[ -]?[1-9]|4[ -]?[7-9]|5[ -]?[018])[ -]?[0-9]|3[ -]?0[ -]?[0-5])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){5})$/
<source lang="html">/^\(?(?:\+?61|0)(?:(?:2\)?[ -]?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])|3\)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])|7\)?[ -]?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)|8\)?[ -]?(?:5[ -]?[1-4]|6[ -]?[0-8]|[7-9][ -]?[0-9]))(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}|4\)?[ -]?(?:(?:[01][ -]?[0-9]|2[ -]?[0-57-9]|3[ -]?[1-9]|4[ -]?[7-9]|5[ -]?[018])[ -]?[0-9]|3[ -]?0[ -]?[0-5])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){5})$/
</source>
</source>


Not very precise:


NOT VERY PRECISE
<source lang="html">/^(?:\+?61|0)[2-478](?:[ -]?[0-9]){8}$/</source>
 
<source>/^(?:\+?61|0)[2-478](?:[ -]?[0-9]){8}$/</source>


===All Australian phone numbers (landlines only - area code required)===
===All Australian phone numbers (landlines only - area code required)===


VERY PRECISE
Very precise:
 
<source>/^\(?(?:\+?61|0)(?:2\)?[ -]?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])|3\)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])|7\)?[ -]?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)|8\)?[ -]?(?:5[ -]?[1-4]|6[ -]?[0-8]|[7-9][ -]?[0-9]))(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>


<source lang="html">/^\(?(?:\+?61|0)(?:2\)?[ -]?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])|3\)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])|7\)?[ -]?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)|8\)?[ -]?(?:5[ -]?[1-4]|6[ -]?[0-8]|[7-9][ -]?[0-9]))(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>


Not very precise:
Not very precise:


<nowiki>/^(?:\+?61|\(?0)[2378]\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){8}$/</nowiki>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\+?61|\(?0)[2378]\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){8}$/</source>


===New South Wales landline phone numbers (area code optional)===
===New South Wales landline phone numbers (area code optional)===


VERY PRECISE
Very precise:


<nowiki>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)2\)?[ -]?)?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</nowiki>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)2\)?[ -]?)?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>


NOT VERY PRECISE
Not very precise:


<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)2\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)2\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>


===Victorian and Tasmanian landline phone numbers (area code optional)===
===Victorian and Tasmanian landline phone numbers (area code optional)===


VERY PRECISE
Very precise:


<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)3\)?[ -]?)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)3\)?[ -]?)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>


NOT VERY PRECISE
Not very precise:


<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)3\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)3\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>


===Queensland landline phone numbers (area code optional)===
===Queensland landline phone numbers (area code optional)===


VERY PRECISE
Very precise:


<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)7\)?[ -]?)?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)7\)?[ -]?)?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/</source>


Not very precise:


NOT VERY PRECISE
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)7\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>
 
<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)7\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>


===South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia landline phone numbers (area code optional)===
===South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia landline phone numbers (area code optional)===
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Very precise:
Very precise:


<nowiki>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)8\)?[ -]?)?(?:5[1-4]|6[0-8]|[7-9][0-9])$/</nowiki>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)8\)?[ -]?)?(?:5[1-4]|6[0-8]|[7-9][0-9])$/</source>


Not very precise:
Not very precise:


<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)8\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)8\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>


===Australian Mobile phone numbers only===
===Australian mobile phone numbers only===


VERY PRECISE
Very precise:


<nowiki>/^(?:\+?61|0)4 ?(?:(?:[01] ?[0-9]|2 ?[0-57-9]|3 ?[1-9]|4 ?[7-9]|5 ?[018]) ?[0-9]|3 ?0 ?[0-5])(?: ?[0-9]){5}$/</nowiki>
<source lang="html">/^(?:\+?61|0)4 ?(?:(?:[01] ?[0-9]|2 ?[0-57-9]|3 ?[1-9]|4 ?[7-9]|5 ?[018]) ?[0-9]|3 ?0 ?[0-5])(?: ?[0-9]){5}$/</source>


Not very precise:


NOT VERY PRECISE
<source lang="html">/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)4\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>
 
<source>/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)4\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/</source>


==Belgian phone number==
==Belgian phone number==
  <source>/^((\+|00)32\s?|0)(\d\s?\d{3}|\d{2}\s?\d{2})(\s?\d{2}){2}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^((\+|00)32\s?|0)(\d\s?\d{3}|\d{2}\s?\d{2})(\s?\d{2}){2}$/</source>
==Belgian mobile phone number==
==Belgian mobile phone number==
  <source>/^((\+|00)32\s?|0)4(60|[789]\d)(\s?\d{2}){3}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^((\+|00)32\s?|0)4(60|[789]\d)(\s?\d{2}){3}$/</source>
==French phone number==
==French phone number==
  <source>/^((\+|00)33\s?|0)[1-5](\s?\d{2}){4}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^((\+|00)33\s?|0)[1-59](\s?\d{2}){4}$/</source>
==French mobile phone number==
==French mobile phone number==
  <source>/^((\+|00)33\s?|0)[679](\s?\d{2}){4}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^((\+|00)33\s?|0)[67](\s?\d{2}){4}$/</source>
==Luxemburg phone number==
==Luxemburg phone number==
  <source>/^((\+|00\s?)352)?(\s?\d{2}){3,4}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^((\+|00\s?)352)?(\s?\d{2}){3,4}$/</source>
==Luxemburg mobile phone number==
==Luxemburg mobile phone number==
  <source>/^((\+|00\s?)352)?\s?6[269]1(\s?\d{3}){2}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^((\+|00\s?)352)?\s?6[269]1(\s?\d{3}){2}$/</source>
=German marks (with optional plus or minus)=
=German marks (with optional plus or minus)=
  <source>/^[1-6]{1}[\+|\-]?$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^[1-6]{1}[\+|\-]?$/</source>
 
 
=Age validation=
=Age validation=
Example: Age 20-99
Example: Age 20-99
  <source>/([2-9][0-9])/</source>
  <source lang="html">/([2-9][0-9])/</source>
 
Example: Age 18-35
<source lang="html">/(1[8-9]|2[0-9]|3[0-5])/</source>


Example: Age 19-65
<source lang="html">/^(1[8-9]|[2-5][0-9]|6[0-5])$/</source>


Example: Age 18-35
<source>/(1[8-9]|2[0-9]|3[0-5])/</source>


=Number validation=


Beispiel: Alter 19-65
<source>^(1[8-9]|[2-5][0-9]|6[0-5])$</source>


=Number validation=
==Numbers from 1 to 99999==
==Numbers from 1 to 99999==
  <source>/^([1-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9])$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^([1-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9])$/</source>
  <source>/^[1-9][0-9]{0,4}$/ does the same as above but should run a little faster</source>
  <source lang="html">/^[1-9][0-9]{0,4}$/ does the same as above but should run a little faster</source>
==Numbers from 1 to 999, 1.000 to 999.999 to 999.999.999==
==Numbers from 1 to 999, 1.000 to 999.999 to 999.999.999==
  <source>/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:\.[0-9]{3}){0,2}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:\.[0-9]{3}){0,2}$/</source>
Accepts numbers from 1 to 999, 1.000 to 999.999 to 999.999.999 but
Accepts numbers from 1 to 999, 1.000 to 999.999 to 999.999.999 but
rejects numbers like 999.1.1 , 94.22.22, 999.1.22, 999.11.1, 999.1.333
rejects numbers like 999.1.1 , 94.22.22, 999.1.22, 999.11.1, 999.1.333
Line 198: Line 226:
==Number validation with optional decimal (for price)==
==Number validation with optional decimal (for price)==
Accepts numbers from 0 to 199, with 2 decimal optional:
Accepts numbers from 0 to 199, with 2 decimal optional:
  <source>/^([1][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[0-9])((\.)[0-9][0-9])?$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^([1][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[0-9])((\.)[0-9][0-9])?$/</source>


==Number validation with thousand separator==
Space as separator, no minus
<source lang="html">/^(?!0)\d{1,3}(\ \d{3})*$/</source>
Dot as separator, minus allowed
<source lang="html">/^-?(?!0)\d{1,3}(\.\d{3})*$/</source>


Forces two decimal points and accepts numbers from 1.00 to 999,999,999.00 with an optional comma delimiting thousands/millions
It forces two decimal points and accepts numbers from 1.00 to 999,999,999.00 with an optional comma delimiting thousands/millions
including all of the following: 1.00, 1,000.00, 12,345.67, 12345,02, 123,456,468.00, 1234566.00, 123456789.00
including all of the following: 1.00, 1,000.00, 12,345.67, 12345,02, 123,456,468.00, 1234566.00, 123456789.00
but not 1,23.00, 12,3.4 or 1234,43.04
but not 1,23.00, 12,3.4 or 1234,43.04
  <source>/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}\.[0-9]{2}$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}\.[0-9]{2}$/</source>
   
   
Similar to the above: Forces two decimal points but accepts a "0" before decimal separator ",".
<source lang="html">/[0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}\.[0-9]{2}$/</source>


Same as above but the two decimal points are optional:
Same as above, but the two decimal points are optional:
<source>/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}(?:\.[0-9]{2})?$/ </source>
<source lang="html">/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}(?:\.[0-9]{2})?$/ </source>


==Month (1-12)==
==Month (1-12)==
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If you want to ask for the month a person was born you can validate the input as follows:
If you want to ask for the month a person was born you can validate the input as follows:


  <nowiki>/^[0]*[1-9]$|^[0]*1[0-2]$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[0]*[1-9]$|^[0]*1[0-2]$/</source>


=Minimum width (set to 3 in this example)=
=Minimum width (set to 3 in this example)=


  <nowiki>/^.{3,}$/</nowiki>
 
  <source lang="html">/^.{3,}$/</source>
 


=Currency=
=Currency=


==US currency (dollar sign and cents optional)==
==US currency (dollar sign and cents optional)==


  <source>/^\$?\d+(\.(\d{2}]]?$/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^\$?\d+(\.(\d{2}))?$/</source>
 
Check for comma usage:
<source lang="html">/^\$?\d{1,3}(\d+(?!,))?(,\d{3})*(\.\d{2})?$/</source>


==Swiss price==
==Swiss price==
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A number with two decimal numbers after the decimal point of which the last one is either a 5 or a 0:
A number with two decimal numbers after the decimal point of which the last one is either a 5 or a 0:


  <nowiki>/^(\d+)(\.\d(05)?)?$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^(\d+)(\.\d(05)?)?$/</source>
 


=Validate score=
=Validate score=


==1-10==
==1-10==


  <nowiki>/^[1-9]{1}$|^10$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[1-9]{1}$|^10$/</source>


==1-100==
==1-100==


  <nowiki>/^[1-9]?[0-9]{1}$|^100$/</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/^[1-9]?[0-9]{1}$|^100$/</source>
 


=Text validation=
=Text validation=


currently multiple short text doesn't support minimum or maximum answers. One way around this is to use a long free text type question with a regular expression.


The following test for at least one word per line for at least 3 lines and no more than 10 lines.
The [[Question type - Multiple short text|multiple short text question type]] doesn't support minimum or maximum answers at the moment. One way around this is to use a [[Question type - Long free text|long free text question type]] with a regular expression.
 
The below expression tests for at least one word per line for at least 3 lines and no more than 10 lines:


  <nowiki>/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)){2,10}/is</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)){2,10}/is</source>


If you wanted, say five words per line you could change the first and last star/asterisk to {4,} e.g.
If you want, say five words per line, you could change the first and last star/asterisk to {4,}:


<nowiki>/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+){4,})(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+){4,})){2,10}/is</nowiki>
<source lang="html">/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+){4,})(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+){4,})){2,10}/is</source>


If you wanted one or more words per line on between 1 and 5 lines, you can change the content of the last curley braces to '''0,4''' (note you use 0 because you're already matching the first line).
If you wanted one or more words per line (between line 1 and line 5), you can change the content located within the last curly braces to '''0,4''' (note you use 0 because you're already matching the first line).


  <nowiki>/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)){0,4}/is</nowiki>
  <source lang="html">/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)){0,4}/is</source>


==Word count==
==Word count==


  <source>The following restricts the number of words allowed to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 200
  The following restricts the number of words allowed to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 200:


/^[-\w]+(?:\W+[-\w]+){0,199}\W*$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^[-\w]+(?:\W+[-\w]+){0,199}\W*$/</source>


  <nowiki>To increase the minimum change the zero part of {0,199}
  To increase the minimum change the zero part of {0,199}.


To increase or decrease the maximum change the "199" part of {0,199}</nowiki>
To increase or decrease the maximum change the "199" part of {0,199}.


=Time validation=
=Time validation=


There are a number of ways of writing time formats. Some of the possible options are 12 hour or 24 hour, with seconds or without. Although it is an option to use the date question type (it can also capture time) you can use "short free text" with one of the validation regular expressions below:


<nowiki>The following three validation strings test for 24 hour time (in order of appearences) without seconds, with optional seconds lastly with seconds required.
There are a number of ways to write time formats. Some of the possible options are 12 hour or 24 hour, with seconds or without. Although it is an option to use the [[Question type - Date|date question type]] (it can also capture time) you can use the [[Question type - Short free text|short free text question type]] with one of the below validation regular expressions.


/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]$/
The following three validation strings test for 24 hour time (in order of appearances) without seconds, with optional seconds lastly with seconds required:


<source>/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])?$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]$/</source>


<source>/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]$/</source>
<source lang="html">/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])?$/</source>


<source lang="html">/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]$/</source>


The following three match 12 hour time, as above with seconds, optional seconds and with seconds required:


The following three match 12 hour time, as above with seconds, optional seconds and with seconds required
<source lang="html">/^(?">00:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))$/</source>


/^(?">00:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))$/
<source lang="html">/^(?:00:[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:pm|PM))$/</source>


/^(?:00:[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:pm|PM))$/
<source lang="html">/^(?:00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))$/</source>


<source>/^(?:00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))$/</source>
The following three match either 12 or 24 hour time as above with seconds, optional seconds and with seconds required:


<source lang="html">/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9])$/</source>


<source lang="html">/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])? (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])? (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])? (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])?)$/</source>


The following three match either 12 or 24 hour time as above with seconds, optional seconds and with seconds required
<source lang="html">/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9])$/</source>


<source>/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9])$/</source>
=US states=


/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9](?<center>[0-5][0-9])? (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9](?</center>[0-5][0-9])? (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9](?<center>[0-5][0-9])? (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9](?</center>[0-5][0-9])?)$/


/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9])$/</nowiki>
To validate for one state use the following (example is Texas):
*TX uppercase only: <source lang="html">/^(TX)$/</source>
*tx lowercase only: <source lang="html">/^(tx)$/</source>
*TX upper or lowercase: <source lang="html">/^([T|t][X|x])$/</source>


=US states=


To validate for one state use the following (example is Texas):
=Profanity Filter=
*TX uppercase only = <source>/^(TX)$/</source>
*tx lowercase only = <source>/^(tx)$/</source>
*TX upper or lowercase = <source>/^([T|t][X|x])$/</source>


=Profanity Filter=


To filter profanity words from an answer:
To filter profanity words from an answer:


  <source>/^(?i)((?!\bENTERPROFANITYHERE\b).)*$(?-i)/</source>
  <source lang="html">/^(?i)((?!\bENTERPROFANITYHERE\b).)*$(?-i)/</source>


Replace "ENTERPROFANITYHERE" with your bad word.
Replace "ENTERPROFANITYHERE" with your bad word.


The \b will allow passing of words such as "assassination" & "hello" if you enter "ass" or "hell" as your profanity word. This also works if you are trying to omit other words, names etc. from answers.
The \b will allow passing of words such as "assassination" and "hello" if you enter "ass" or "hell" as your profanity word. This also works if you are trying to omit other words, names etc. from answers.
 
 
=Helpful links=
 
 
In the beginning of this wiki section, we recommend you to use https://regex101.com/ to test/create regular expressions. You can also use https://www.regextester.com/ to create expressions in case you are unhappy about the first option. You can use https://extendsclass.com/regex-tester.html to visualize regular expressions.

Latest revision as of 14:58, 27 November 2022

Regular Expressions must start and finish with a forward slash ("/"). You can find a good library of regular expressions at http://www.regexlib.net/. These patterns will almost always work if they are surrounded by forward slashes.

To test your regex you can use this regex tester.

To improve this wiki section, we kindly ask you to add your successfully tested regular expression(s) to provide a better understanding of this feature to the new LimeSurvey (potential) users.
  Attention : Please note that all the below examples are written on one line!



Important: Regular Expressions in conditions

Note that when using regular expressions in the condition editor, do NOT include the beginning and ending slash.


Email validation

Update (12/2018): Since these days domain names cannot only hold special characters like “ü” but also use more than 3 characters as domain name like .tech or .company, the below email regex only checks if “@” and “.” exists within the entered email address.

/^.+?@.+?\..+$/

If you want to validate one address per line, in a multiline long text field:

/^(((\w+([-+.']\w+)*@\w+([-.]\w+)*\.\w+([-.]\w+)*(\r\n)?\n?)+)*)$/

At this outdated regex the domain name is limited to 3 characters which doesn't cover all available domains:

/^(\w[-._+\w]*\w@\w[-._\w]*\w\.\w{2,3})$/

Postcodes

Australian postcodes:

/^[0-9]{4}/

Brazilian postcodes

/^[0-9]{2}\.[0-9]{3}-[0-9]{3}$/

Canadian postcodes

/^[a-zA-Z]\d{1}[a-zA-Z](\-| |)\d{1}[a-zA-Z]\d{1}$/

US postal codes

/^[0-9]{5}([- /]?[0-9]{4})?$/

For the postal code to start with zero, use:

/^[0-9]{5}(?:-[0-9]{4})?$/

UK postcodes

/^[A-Z][A-Z]?[0-9][A-Z0-9]? ?[0-9][ABDEFGHJLNPQRSTUWXYZ]{2}$/i

Note that this is not very exact, and a more exact validation is much more complex. For example, see StackOverflow answer and Wikipedia for more information.

French postcodes

/(^[0-8]\d\d{3}$)|(^9[0-5]\d{3}$)|(^97[1-6]\d{2}$)|(^98[46-8]\d{2}$)/

The above expression is very precise and it will check whether or not the French Department exists (first two digits), including overseas Departments and overseas Territories (DOM-TOM).


Phone numbers

US phone numbers

/^(?:\([2-9]\d{2}\)\ ?|[2-9]\d{2}(?:\-?|\ ?))[2-9]\d{2}[- ]?\d{4}$/

or

/^[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{3}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{3}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}[0-9]{4}[\(\)\.\- ]{0,}$/

This second option will match all phone Canadian and US phone numbers that include non-digit symbols including:

 . ( ) - (space)

This will allow you to match phone numbers which resemble below:

  • (555)555 5555
  • 555.555.5555
  • 555 555 5555
  • (555)-555-5555
  • 555-555-5555
  • 555555555

Australian phone numbers

The following patterns match all various Australian mobile and landline phone numbers including with "+61" country prefix:

  • (02) 9123 6535
  • 03 1234-5345
  • 0412 345 678
  • +61 2 3456 789

But not:

  • 234 3450 234
  • a234 534 3432
  • 134567
  • 123456789013

Brackets, white space and hypens are ignored.

The 'Very precise:' versions listed here match against the first four or five digits in a number to ensure that they are valid Australian numbers.

The 'Not very precise:' only match against the first and second digit so may allow invaid numbers.

All Australian phone numbers (mobile and landline - area code required)

Very precise:

/^\(?(?:\+?61|0)(?:(?:2\)?[ -]?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])|3\)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])|7\)?[ -]?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)|8\)?[ -]?(?:5[ -]?[1-4]|6[ -]?[0-8]|[7-9][ -]?[0-9]))(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}|4\)?[ -]?(?:(?:[01][ -]?[0-9]|2[ -]?[0-57-9]|3[ -]?[1-9]|4[ -]?[7-9]|5[ -]?[018])[ -]?[0-9]|3[ -]?0[ -]?[0-5])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){5})$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\+?61|0)[2-478](?:[ -]?[0-9]){8}$/

All Australian phone numbers (landlines only - area code required)

Very precise:

/^\(?(?:\+?61|0)(?:2\)?[ -]?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])|3\)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])|7\)?[ -]?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)|8\)?[ -]?(?:5[ -]?[1-4]|6[ -]?[0-8]|[7-9][ -]?[0-9]))(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\+?61|\(?0)[2378]\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){8}$/

New South Wales landline phone numbers (area code optional)

Very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)2\)?[ -]?)?(?:3[ -]?[38]|[46-9][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[0-35-9])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)2\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/

Victorian and Tasmanian landline phone numbers (area code optional)

Very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)3\)?[ -]?)?(?:4[ -]?[0-57-9]|[57-9][ -]?[0-9]|6[ -]?[1-67])(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)3\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/

Queensland landline phone numbers (area code optional)

Very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)7\)?[ -]?)?(?:[2-4][ -]?[0-9]|5[ -]?[2-7]|7[ -]?6)(?:[ -]?[0-9]){6}$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)7\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/

South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia landline phone numbers (area code optional)

Very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)8\)?[ -]?)?(?:5[1-4]|6[0-8]|[7-9][0-9])$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)8\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/

Australian mobile phone numbers only

Very precise:

/^(?:\+?61|0)4 ?(?:(?:[01] ?[0-9]|2 ?[0-57-9]|3 ?[1-9]|4 ?[7-9]|5 ?[018]) ?[0-9]|3 ?0 ?[0-5])(?: ?[0-9]){5}$/

Not very precise:

/^(?:\(?(?:\+?61|0)4\)?(?:[ -]?[0-9]){7}[0-9]$/

Belgian phone number

/^((\+|00)32\s?|0)(\d\s?\d{3}|\d{2}\s?\d{2})(\s?\d{2}){2}$/

Belgian mobile phone number

/^((\+|00)32\s?|0)4(60|[789]\d)(\s?\d{2}){3}$/

French phone number

/^((\+|00)33\s?|0)[1-59](\s?\d{2}){4}$/

French mobile phone number

/^((\+|00)33\s?|0)[67](\s?\d{2}){4}$/

Luxemburg phone number

/^((\+|00\s?)352)?(\s?\d{2}){3,4}$/

Luxemburg mobile phone number

/^((\+|00\s?)352)?\s?6[269]1(\s?\d{3}){2}$/

German marks (with optional plus or minus)

/^[1-6]{1}[\+|\-]?$/


Age validation

Example: Age 20-99

/([2-9][0-9])/

Example: Age 18-35

/(1[8-9]|2[0-9]|3[0-5])/

Example: Age 19-65

/^(1[8-9]|[2-5][0-9]|6[0-5])$/


Number validation

Numbers from 1 to 99999

/^([1-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9])$/
/^[1-9][0-9]{0,4}$/ does the same as above but should run a little faster

Numbers from 1 to 999, 1.000 to 999.999 to 999.999.999

/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:\.[0-9]{3}){0,2}$/

Accepts numbers from 1 to 999, 1.000 to 999.999 to 999.999.999 but rejects numbers like 999.1.1 , 94.22.22, 999.1.22, 999.11.1, 999.1.333

Number validation with optional decimal (for price)

Accepts numbers from 0 to 199, with 2 decimal optional:

/^([1][0-9][0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[0-9])((\.)[0-9][0-9])?$/

Number validation with thousand separator

Space as separator, no minus

/^(?!0)\d{1,3}(\ \d{3})*$/

Dot as separator, minus allowed

/^-?(?!0)\d{1,3}(\.\d{3})*$/

It forces two decimal points and accepts numbers from 1.00 to 999,999,999.00 with an optional comma delimiting thousands/millions including all of the following: 1.00, 1,000.00, 12,345.67, 12345,02, 123,456,468.00, 1234566.00, 123456789.00 but not 1,23.00, 12,3.4 or 1234,43.04

/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}\.[0-9]{2}$/

Similar to the above: Forces two decimal points but accepts a "0" before decimal separator ",".

/[0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}\.[0-9]{2}$/

Same as above, but the two decimal points are optional:

/^[1-9][0-9]{0,2}(?:,?[0-9]{3}){0,3}(?:\.[0-9]{2})?$/

Month (1-12)

If you want to ask for the month a person was born you can validate the input as follows:

/^[0]*[1-9]$|^[0]*1[0-2]$/

Minimum width (set to 3 in this example)

/^.{3,}$/


Currency

US currency (dollar sign and cents optional)

/^\$?\d+(\.(\d{2}))?$/

Check for comma usage:

/^\$?\d{1,3}(\d+(?!,))?(,\d{3})*(\.\d{2})?$/

Swiss price

A number with two decimal numbers after the decimal point of which the last one is either a 5 or a 0:

/^(\d+)(\.\d(05)?)?$/


Validate score

1-10

/^[1-9]{1}$|^10$/

1-100

/^[1-9]?[0-9]{1}$|^100$/


Text validation

The multiple short text question type doesn't support minimum or maximum answers at the moment. One way around this is to use a long free text question type with a regular expression.

The below expression tests for at least one word per line for at least 3 lines and no more than 10 lines:

/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)){2,10}/is

If you want, say five words per line, you could change the first and last star/asterisk to {4,}:

/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+){4,})(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+){4,})){2,10}/is

If you wanted one or more words per line (between line 1 and line 5), you can change the content located within the last curly braces to 0,4 (note you use 0 because you're already matching the first line).

/(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)(?:[,.;:?!& \n\r]?(?:\n|\r|\n\r|\r\n)(?:[^,.;:?!& \n\r]+(?: [^,.;:?!& \n\r]+)*)){0,4}/is

Word count

The following restricts the number of words allowed to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 200:
/^[-\w]+(?:\W+[-\w]+){0,199}\W*$/
To increase the minimum change the zero part of {0,199}.

To increase or decrease the maximum change the "199" part of {0,199}.

Time validation

There are a number of ways to write time formats. Some of the possible options are 12 hour or 24 hour, with seconds or without. Although it is an option to use the date question type (it can also capture time) you can use the short free text question type with one of the below validation regular expressions.

The following three validation strings test for 24 hour time (in order of appearances) without seconds, with optional seconds lastly with seconds required:

/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]$/
/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])?$/
/^(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]$/

The following three match 12 hour time, as above with seconds, optional seconds and with seconds required:

/^(?">00:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))$/
/^(?:00:[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9](?::[0-5][0-9])? (?:pm|PM))$/
/^(?:00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))$/

The following three match either 12 or 24 hour time as above with seconds, optional seconds and with seconds required:

/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9])$/
/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])? (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])? (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])? (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9](?[0-5][0-9])?)$/
/^(?:(?:00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:am|AM)|(?:0[1-9]|1[01]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:[ap]m|[AP]M)|12:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9] (?:pm|PM))|(?:[01][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9])$/

US states

To validate for one state use the following (example is Texas):

  • TX uppercase only:
    /^(TX)$/
    
  • tx lowercase only:
    /^(tx)$/
    
  • TX upper or lowercase:
    /^([T|t][X|x])$/
    


Profanity Filter

To filter profanity words from an answer:

/^(?i)((?!\bENTERPROFANITYHERE\b).)*$(?-i)/

Replace "ENTERPROFANITYHERE" with your bad word.

The \b will allow passing of words such as "assassination" and "hello" if you enter "ass" or "hell" as your profanity word. This also works if you are trying to omit other words, names etc. from answers.


Helpful links

In the beginning of this wiki section, we recommend you to use https://regex101.com/ to test/create regular expressions. You can also use https://www.regextester.com/ to create expressions in case you are unhappy about the first option. You can use https://extendsclass.com/regex-tester.html to visualize regular expressions.