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MS Access 2003: Use a query to find duplicates

This MSAccess tutorial explains how to set up a query to find duplicates in a table in Access 2003 (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

Question: In Microsoft Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I want to use a query to find duplicates in a table. How do I do this?

Answer: Create a new query and then select the "Find Duplicates Query Wizard" option in the New Query window. This should walk you through the setup of your query.

Below is an example to demonstrate how to use the "Find Duplicates Query Wizard". In our example, we have a table called suppliers. We're looking for suppliers that have the same name.

In your database window, select Queries and then click on the New button.

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When the "New Query" window appears, select "Find Duplicates Query Wizard" and click on the OK button.

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Select the table that wish to search for duplicates. In this example, we are searching the Suppliers table. Click on the Next button.

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Select the field(s) that might contain duplicates. In this case, we are looking for suppliers with the same CompanyName. So we selected the CompanyName field and clicked on the right arrow to send the CompanyName to the right box on the screen. Click on the Next button.

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Next, select the others fields that you would like to see in the query result set. In this case, we wanted to see the SupplierID, the ContactName, and the ContactTitle. Click on the Next button.

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Next select the name of your query. In this example, we chose the name "Find duplicates for Suppliers". Then click on the Finish button.

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Finally, the query results will display. In this case, we see two records that have a Company Name of "IBM". The additional fields (Supplier ID, Contact Name, and Contact Title) just help us identify the records.

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