This might be simple, but I'm just not getting it. (FMP v.6 Mac 9.2)

I have a text field containing a series of page numbers to build a book index.

There are often multiple instances of the same page number for a subject, and I want to have a field which I can later export that will not contain any duplicates.

e.g., 3, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 12, 20, 30, 100

should become: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 30, 100

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Kathleen

You could create a valuelist from this field

That uses values from the field where you have your page numbers

And then create a calculation field (result of text) that is

Substitute(ValueListItems(Status(CurrentFileName), "Valuelist"), "

I would recommend using two files, a subject file and a page number file. Each unique subject would have a subjectID field (auto-entry) and create a subjectID field in the page number file so you can relate the two files. Make sure the relationship allows creation & deletion of records and sorts the related records. Next create a page number portal in the subject file. Set the portal to show 10 records and show a vertical scroll bar.

You will probably want two layouts in the subject file, one that is just a list of subjects and then a detailed one with the page number portal. You can create a button on each layout to take you to the other layout so you can quickly switch between Subject List and Subject Details.

HTH, Mike

Hi Andy:

I think I understand your suggestion. But when I gave this a try, the value list contains the values entered in the page field for all records. So this actually compounds the problem. I'm trying to eliminate the duplicate values within each record.

Did I miss something?

Kathleen