Query Err Msg: "Non Unique Column Reference" with dBASE Tables

• Microsoft Query for Windows, version 1.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Query version 1.0, if you add field headings from a dBASE (.DBF) table to the data pane, and if the table has duplicate column names, you will receive one of the following error messages

   Non unique column reference: <field name>

   -or-

   [Microsoft][Single-Tier Driver]Non unique column reference: <field name>

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, open the dBASE file in Microsoft Excel and rename or delete one of the duplicate column names from the list. If you delete one of the duplicate columns, do the following to redefine the new list range:

1. Select the new list range, including the field headings.

2. From the Insert menu, choose Name.

3. In the Names In Workbook box, type "Database" (without the quotation marks).

4. Choose OK.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel, it is possible to create a dBASE file with duplicate column headings. Because Microsoft Excel has limited database capabilities, it does not check the integrity of the database in the file when it is saved in the dBASE file format. When you use Microsoft Query to query data in the file, you may receive the error message described above.