eliminating like items in dynamically loaded list boxes

[criticalelement]

Hello- I am currently learning coldfusion and I have just connected to a MS
Access database and I have created some dynamically loaded list boxes. One
field has multiple items that are identical. I wish to eliminate the repetition
of this field, how would I do this?

[rmorgan]

My first suggestion would be to us 'SELECT DISTINCT' in your query that populates your field.

[JaredJBlackburn]

As mentioned, the 'SELECT DISTINCT' in the SQL in your <cfquery> is probably
the best way, assuming your dynamic list is coming from a database and that you
have access and the ability to change the SQL that's being used. If not,
consider creating an empty cf list. Then when looping through your list, check
to make sure that each item is not in the list, then add it to the cf list and
to your html list box. When you get to a duplicate entry, it will show up in
your list and you will know not to add it to you html list box. It would look
something like this:

<cfset optionList = "">
<cfloop over some kind of list with varable i>
<cfif listFind(optionList, i) is 0>
<option> #i#
<cfset listAppend(optionList, #i#)>
</cfif>
</cfloop>

[drforbin1970]

If you cannot modify the SQL code, use the 'group' or 'groupCaseSensitive' attribute of CFOUTPUT:

<cfoutput query="myQuery" group="column_with_dups">
list box
</cfoutput>