Find Duplicates Based on First N Characters of a string

[DaveT99]

I havebeen googling this without success. I have a table DATA, assume one field called DESCRIPTION.


Is it possible to list dulicate records based on e.g the first 35 characters of the description
Thanks in advance

[CJ_London]

yes,

create a query and use a left function for the first 35 chars - something like

iif(len(description)<35,description, left(description,35))

then use the find duplicates query wizard based on this query

[ranman256]

Can u just use:
left([description],35)

[DaveT99]

Thanks, never thought of a 2 query solution

[DaveT99]

Thanks once again, s simpler approach to a 2 query solution, which I hadnt thought off. Its like thinking outside of the box
Cheers

[DaveT99]

Hi VIP
Perhaps I misunderstood, but I entered your expression in the criteria and worked but when I put less characters e.g 22 it drew blank

Did some research and then created a new field Expr1: Left([Part_Desc],22) and worked perfectly

Thanks for putting me on the right track, I will try the IIF solution for fun

CHEERS