I had a value list based on a list of suppliers I entered directly/manually into a special field for the purpose.

I changed this to base the value list on the actual suppliers I have created records for. So, add a new supplier, and then the value list will automatically change to include that.

But something is awry - the value list is fine except that there are 3 suppliers who appear twice in it. I checked, and there is definitely only one record for each of these suppliers. I experimented with deleting one of the suppliers, and their name still appears twice! So how does this work - it has some kind of memory for what was listed? How do I change this? Its like there is some kind of index which is not updating. The supplier field is fully indexed, but even turning that off doesnt seem to make a difference.

Maybe the records are there but with some slight spelling variation (e.g. a trailing space)? Seems like they'd show up when you searched for them, though.

I agree with Tom.

One way to verify this is to do a search in the field for one of them, and then for the other to see what shows up.

Things like misplaced periods, spaces, transpositions of letters, can be hard to spot.

HTH

Lee

I know, it makes sense, but I have tried that, and there is only one occurance of the suppliers who show up double. Thats what doesnt make sense. But I do wonder, as I say, duplicated file, and tried deleting these suppliers, and the value list still showed them there...

Try turning indexing off.

Leave the Define Fields, and then do a search in the field for one of them.

HTH

Lee

yes, tried that again. Turned indexing off, even deleted one of the suppliers...they still show up in the list!

How, exactly, is the value list generated?

You originally said "based on a list of suppliers I entered directly/manually into a special field for the purpose"

... then you said " there is definitely only one record for each of these suppliers"

If the value list is generated from a field, and the field contains a list of multiple values, then there should only be one record -- this is often referred to as a prefs table.

If there are multiple records then check the field in all the records: multiple values separated by returns will appear as separate items in the value list. Any variations will also appear including trailing spaces. Others have already mentioned this. Usually with multiple records, each field only contains one value.

Firstly I had based the list on a list of names I entered manually into a field 'supplier list'

I deleted that field, and instead, based the list on the actual supplier records in the db. There is only one record for each supplier. So, it should generate a value list with only one name.

I have double checked, and there is definitely only supplier record for each supplier...

Post your file.

Heres the file. The value list in question is visible in the Supplier layout especially.

Stockm.zip

The second [color:blue]Eastwoods has a space behind it.

Go back and read Tom Fetch's and my Posts.

Lee

Ok, you are right, but I am obviously missing something here... One has a space, the other doesnt. But they are supposed to be drawn from the supplier records, and there is only one records of Eastwoods. So where is the other line coming from?

But they are supposed to be drawn from the supplier records, and there is only one records of Eastwoods. So where is the other line coming from?

The value list is being based upon Stock Management (which is NOT Suppliers table). And THAT table has some with spaces after and some with not for the same Supplier name.

Be sure, after you change the value list to the Supplier table, that you also clean up all values in the Supplier field in Stock Management.

Go to the first layout "Product Entry", do a Find for the Eastwoods, and use then do a Replace "Menu >> Records >> Replace

Presto, only one Eastwoods will be in the list.

Lee

thanks... Goodness, I have spent too many hours staring at this file...cant see the wood for the trees. Yes, thats the simple solution. Thanks again.