https://www.webmaster-forums.net/crss/node/1013969 en https://www.webmaster-forums.net/web-database-development/sql-help-filtering-data#comment-1080827 <p>have you though of using a relational DB layout?<br /> <div class="codeblock"><code>Compass<br />+--------------+-----------+<br />| Direction_id | Direction |<br />+--------------+-----------+<br />|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1 | North&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; |<br />|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 | South&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; |<br />|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3 | East&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; |<br />|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4 | West&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; |<br />|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5 | NorthWest |<br />+--------------+-----------+<br /><br />Directions<br />+----+--------------+---<br />| ID | Direction_id |&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />+----+--------------+---<br />|&nbsp; 1 |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 |&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />|&nbsp; 2 |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4 |&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />|&nbsp; 3 |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3 |&nbsp; <br />|&nbsp; 4 |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5 |&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />|&nbsp; 5 |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1 |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />+----+--------------+---</code></div>'<br /> Then you can use the 'Compass' table to populate your dropdown menus.</p> Mon, 09 Apr 2001 19:10:49 +0000 Mark Hensler comment 1080827 at https://www.webmaster-forums.net https://www.webmaster-forums.net/web-database-development/sql-help-filtering-data#comment-1080821 <p>That is correct SQL syntax. If you can avoid it you should try to store those values (north,south,...) in a separate table. Using DISTINCT will almost always slow down your queries.</p> Mon, 09 Apr 2001 12:39:07 +0000 Peter J. Boettcher comment 1080821 at https://www.webmaster-forums.net https://www.webmaster-forums.net/web-database-development/sql-help-filtering-data#comment-1080799 <p>I'm not sure, you read about the mySQL SELECT query <a href="http://www.mysql.com/doc/S/E/SELECT.html" class="bb-url">here</a>.</p> <p>I *think* that this will do it:<br /> SELECT DISTINCT Directions FROM Directions ... blah blah blah</p> Sun, 08 Apr 2001 19:16:40 +0000 Mark Hensler comment 1080799 at https://www.webmaster-forums.net