Validation rules verify that data entered by a user meets specified standards before a record can be saved. A validation rule contains a formula that evaluates fields and returns true or false. If any data is invalid, an error message displays without saving the record. Common uses of validation rules include making fields required based on other field values, ensuring numbers are within a specified range, and enforcing date field sequences. Formulas like AND, ABS, CASE, CONTAINS, IF, NOT can be used to define validation rule formulas.