MaskFormatter problem

Question

I am using JFormattedTextFields on most of my form input fields. Not sure if this is the correct way to do this as I'm new but I created a MaskFormatters class that contains all of my MaskFormatters all in one place.
i.e.
public final MaskFormatter FIFTEEN_DIGITS = new MaskFormatter("###############);
Then on my forms I create:
jftfMSISDN = new JFormattedTextField(mask.FIFTEEN_DIGITS);
The problem I'm having is when using a formatter the 'text' is not commited to the 'value' when focus leaves the field unless the whole mask is filled in. What I really want is a mask that will allow 0-15 numbers - not just 15 only. Is there a way to set the mask to commit even if the mask is not completely filled out? I tried FIFTEEN_DIGITS.setPlaceHolderCharacter(' ') and it still does not commit the value. Although I tried again with FIFTEEN_DIGITS.setPlaceHolderCharacter('5') and it completed the field with all 5's and commited as expected.
TIA

Answer 1

import java.awt.*;
import java.text.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class FormatTest {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    NumberFormat nf = NumberFormat.getNumberInstance();
    nf.setMaximumIntegerDigits(15);
    nf.setMinimumIntegerDigits(1);
    nf.setGroupingUsed(false);
    JFormattedTextField ftf = new JFormattedTextField(nf);
    ftf.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(125, ftf.getPreferredSize().height));
    JPanel panel = new JPanel(new GridBagLayout());
    GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
    gbc.weighty = 1.0;
    gbc.gridwidth = gbc.REMAINDER;
    panel.add(ftf, gbc);
    JTextField tf = new JTextField(8);
    panel.add(tf, gbc);
    JFrame f = new JFrame();
    f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    f.getContentPane().add(panel);
    f.setSize(200,130);
    f.setLocation(400,300);
    f.setVisible(true);
}This will commit the last 15 digits in the ftf. If you want to limit the number of digits entered into the ftf to 15, the next step is a document filter. Also, note the behavior when a decimal is entered.