Identical (Duplicate) Records

[George Too]

Hi,

My table has big chance of getting identical-duplicated records thru an import method where the only difference betweenn the records would be the autonumber field.

How can I filter out these records at the time of import if they already exist in the table? or How can I remove them once the have been entered into the table?

Thank you,

 

[ghudson]

Set the main fields (fields you do not want duplicated) in the table with a primary key and append the importd data. The duplicate records will not be allowed to be added to the table. You will need to set the warnings to false to not show the error message stating that all records could not be added.

HTH

 

[George Too]

I can't do it this way because data in my table may repeat "legaly" in other records' fields.

If you care to take a look at the attached jpg of my table, you will notice that records ID# 4851 & 4852 are almost identical 'till we get to the "defect" field; then record 4853 is similar to 4852 in the "defect" field but differes in others.

My point is that I don't want to append to my table records that are identical field-by-field.

Like I said, the primary key method would not work in this case 'cause would require me to set every single field as a primary key and then trigger errors when ever data duplicates legaly.

What do you think?

 

[raskew]

Take a look at the response I provided at http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34256.

I think you could use the same rationale to select the Top 1 of a group of identical records.

Might be worth a try.