1. Validation rules and options

The default validation rules

The following tables describe default item and field validation rules that are available at /sitecore/System/Settings/Validation Rules. This list is not exhaustive.

Item validation rules

Item validation ruleVerifies...
Broken LinksAll languages and all versions for broken links in one or more fields.
Item is not referencedThat the item is not referenced by any other items. This might indicate that the item is unused and can be deleted.
Duplicate NameThat the item name is unique among siblings.
Duplicate Sort OrderThat the item has a unique sort-order.
Full Page XHtmlThe XHTML generated when a visitor requests an item.
Name Encoded CharacterThat the item name does not contain both encoded and unencoded characters.
Media Size Too BigWhether a Media Library item exceeds a specific size.
Publish Unpublish Date RangeThat the publish date is before the unpublish date.
Reminder is after Archive DateThat the reminder date is before the archive date.
Url CharactersIf an item name contains characters that must be escaped when rendering URLs, which negatively impacts search engine indexing.
Valid From Valid To Date RangeThat the valid from date is before the valid to date.

Field validation rules

Field validation ruleVerifies...
Broken LinksIf a field contains broken links.
Is EmailIf a field contains an email address.
Is IntegerIf a field contains an integer.
Is Integer with Zero AllowedThat a field is a valid integer (zero allowed).
Is PercentageThat the field is a valid percentage.
Is XHtmlIf a field contains XHTML.
Max Length 40If a field contains a value of 40 or fewer characters.
Rating 1 to 9If a field contains a value between 1 and 9.
RequiredIf a field contains a value.
SpellcheckSpelling using the RAD Editor spell check validation, also used in the Rich Text editor.
Type and AssemblyIf the value properly references a class in an accessible assembly.
W3C XHtml ValidationThat the field HTML uses the W3C validation service (the CMS must have Internet access).

System field validation rules

System field validation ruleVerifies...
Alt RequiredThat the alt text is filled in.
Circular Dependency ValidatorThat values picked in multilists are different from the item that defines the field.
Database NameThat the field must contain a valid database name.
Extension May Not Start with a DotThat the media file extension does not start with a dot.
Extern Link TargetThe external links, that is the links to other sites.
File ExistsThat the file exists.
GUIDThat the field must contain a valid Guid value.
Image Has Alt TextThat there is alt text on an image.
Image Has Alt Text from Media LibraryIf the media item has default alt text. The default alt text (from the Media library) is used.
Image SizeThe size for the images referenced through image fields.
Is XmlThat the field contains valid XML.
Linked Item Has Allowed TemplateThat the item selected has the allowed template.
Parameters StringThat the field contains a valid parameters string (a=1&b=2&c=3).
Reset to Standard ValueThat the field contains the same value as the Standard Value and can be reset.
Rich Text Image SizeThe image dimensions for the images included in the rich text fields, that is if the image is too big to look good in the site design.
Rule Elements Type Field ValidatorThat the Rule field has no referenced conditions or actions with a broken Type field and the type is not obsolete.
Sitecore CommandThat the field contains a valid Sitecore command defined in the commands.config file.
Type and AssemblyThat the field points to a valid type in an existing assembly.
Unique Placeholder KeyThat the placeholder key is unique.
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