Custom error messages
Learn how to define custom error messages for input validation in your Actor's input schema. Make validation feedback clearer and more user-friendly.
When an input fails validation against an Actor's input schema, the resulting errors are processed and displayed to the user. By default, these messages are generic and may not clearly explain what the validation rule actually means.
Custom error messages allow Actor developers to define tailored feedback messages for input validation errors, making it easier for users to understand what is required and improving overall usability.
The problem with generic error messages
Some validation rules have a specific purpose that generic error messages don't explain well. For example, consider the following input field using the pattern validation keyword:
{
"title": "Email address",
"type": "string",
"description": "Your email address",
"editor": "textfield",
"pattern": "^[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$"
}
Input that doesn't satisfy the pattern will produce an error message like:
Field "email" should match pattern "^[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$".
However, a message such as the following would be much more understandable for the user:
Field "email" must be a valid email address.
Custom error messages for input fields
Each property in the input schema can include an errorMessage field that defines a custom error message to be displayed when validation of that field fails.
The errorMessage must be an object that maps validation keywords (e.g., type, pattern, minLength) to their respective custom messages.
{
"title": "Email address",
"type": "string",
"description": "Your email address",
"editor": "textfield",
"pattern": "^[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$",
"errorMessage": {
"type": "Email must be a string",
"pattern": "Email must be a valid email address"
}
}
If a validation error occurs for a keyword that is not listed in the errorMessage object, the system will fall back to the default error message.
Custom error messages are especially useful for complex validation rules like regular expressions, where the default error message would show the entire pattern, which is not user-friendly. Refer to the best practices for more guidance.
Supported validation keywords
You can define custom error messages for any validation keyword supported by the input schema, including:
| Type | Supported validation keywords |
|---|---|
string | type, pattern, minLength, maxLength, enum |
number/integer | type, minimum, maximum |
boolean | type |
array | type, minItems, maxItems, uniqueItems, patternKey, patternValue |
object | type, minProperties, maxProperties, patternKey, patternValue |
Nested properties
It's possible to define custom error messages in sub-properties as well. For objects with nested properties, you can define error messages at any level of nesting:
{
"title": "User",
"type": "object",
"description": "Provide user details",
"editor": "schemaBased",
"properties": {
"email": {
"type": "string",
"pattern": "^[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$",
"errorMessage": {
"pattern": "Please enter a valid email address"
}
}
}
}
Best practices
Custom error messages can be useful in specific cases, but they aren't always necessary. In most situations, the default validation messages are clear enough and ensure consistency across the platform. Use custom messages only when they meaningfully improve clarity—for example, when the default message would expose an unreadable regular expression or fail to explain a non-obvious requirement.
If you choose to add custom messages, keep the following in mind:
- Be specific – The message should clarify what went wrong.
- Be concise – Avoid long or overly detailed explanations.
- Be helpful – Focus on what the user needs to change.
- Be consistent – Align with the tone and style used elsewhere in your project.