Email Must Contain @
This column validation uses a SharePoint formula to require the email address to contain an @ sign. Applied as column validation, it checks the value the moment someone saves the item and blocks entries that do not pass.
How It Works
- What it does: Requires the Email to contain an @ sign before the item can be saved.
- If it passes: The email has an @, so the item saves normally.
- If it fails: The save is blocked and your message appears, for example: Enter a valid email address that includes an @ sign.
Common Use Cases
- Basic email sanity check
- Cleaner contact records
- Preventing obvious typos
- Better data quality
Details
- Formula Type: Column Validation
- Formula Category: Text & Names
Required Columns
| Display name | Column type |
|---|---|
| Single line of text |
Prerequisites
- Create the column the formula reads: Email
- Add or edit a few items so there is data for the formula to work with
How to Apply the Formula
- Open the column you want to validate (Edit column, then More options)
- Expand Column validation
- Paste the formula below into the Formula box
- Add a user message that explains the rule, so people know why an entry was blocked
- Save. From now on, new or edited entries must pass the rule
Formula
=ISNUMBER(FIND("@",[Email]))Common Questions About Email Must Contain @ Formula
What does this formula do?
Basic email sanity. It runs as column validation, so it checks the value when the item is saved and blocks entries that do not pass.
Which columns do I need to set this up?
You need: Email (Single line of text). The formula reads these to produce its result.
Will it check items that are already in the list?
No. Validation applies only to new or edited entries. Existing items are not re-checked when you add the rule.
If LookBook 365 is code-free and out-of-the-box, why does this example use a formula?
A SharePoint formula is native, declarative configuration, not custom development. It only works with the item’s own fields and simple logic – it cannot run scripts, reach external services, or change other data, and nothing is deployed to your tenant. It keeps working through Microsoft updates. If you would rather not set this up yourself, this is exactly the kind of thing I configure for clients.
Email Must Contain @ Formula Example