Duplicate Question

[wislndixie]

I have a very simple "customers" table and form setup. The primary key is the autonumber ID tha access assigns with each new record. I can't seem to find out how to prevent duplicate names being entered. I tried setting to Yes (no duplicates) in one of my tables fields but I keep getting an error message that it won't work. (don't remember the message). Is there an easy way to do this?
Thanks
Mike

 

[Joe4]

If you don't want duplicate names to be entered, you should get rid of the Autonumber field and make the name field your primary field. This will ensure that you can't have duplicates.

Never use Autonumber unless you have to. I have never had need of using it. I will design my own identifier key before I use Autonumber.

 

[Ian Mac]

Sounds like you already have duplicates in your table which is preventing you from changing the settings.

Run a 'Find Duplicates Query Wizard'

This will weed out your weaklings, so to speak.
It will create a table with the results

Then amend your data and you should have no problems setting the Field to Yes (no duplicates).

Regards

PS. You can also get rid of the Autonumber Field as jmiskey suggests, however, keeping it and using that as the relation to other tables will be a FAR more effient way to link the data.

Edit: Really BAD spelling!!!

 

[Ian Mac]

Apologies a hasty remake against jmiskey's Autonumber.

Yes, I would put in my own Identifier normally.
But I do stand by the fact that relating the table through a number is FAR more efficient in the fact that each entry will take up far less processing and memory time using an Integer than a String, say!

It's your call on whether you manually do this or Autonumber, depends on the table personally

 

[bat17]

I have to agree that Autonumbers are a good part of database design. Just don't use them where the end users can see them. I often set them to use random rather than sequential numbering just to stop people trying to make sense of a number that's only purpose is to relate two sets of data together

Peter