"Duplicate Column Header" error when updating form

[VickiG]

Hi:  I have been getting the error seen in the screenshot:  "Duplicate Column Header: Unknown" and have searched the forum here and tried to backtrack to before the error and I am having no luck figuring out what happened.

I was changing a few fields to integer from select one lists and reordering some of the choice lists before this happened.

I have looked over the form many times and can't see an actual duplicate column header...does this error message cryptically refer to something else? 😉

I am using Survey123 Connect Version 3.17.55

I have attached the error message and a copy of the form.

Thanks for any ideas anyone may have!

Vicki

[DougBrowning]

It may be just getting tripped up since you have the repeat name and end repeat name the same.  See the red here that is telling you its bad.

I ususally just call the end  EndRepeatName to get around that.  Try that.

[VickiG]

Hi Doug:  I thought the red was just the app being helpful in keeping my place! 😉  

But unfortunately changing those names to EndRepeat_tblName gave me the same error when I tried to update. 

But now I have a "best practice" to use going forward.

I guess I will go back to a previous version of the survey that was working and update after every change so I can isolate the problem.  

Thanks for your suggestion.

Vicki

[DougBrowning]

Oh I may have found it.  I should have looked it was my other guess.

[VickiG]

Hi again...sorry for the delayed reply, I was out of the office Friday.  Wow, those are some eagle eyes!  I would have never found those random inserts (how they got there??).

Unfortunately, I am still getting the error when I try to update the survey form.

I guess I will go back to last known working version and do iterative updates.

Thanks for the continued help!

[jamesmichael7890]

The "Duplicate Column Header" error typically occurs when you are working with forms or spreadsheets, and it means that you have two or more columns with the same name or header. This can lead to confusion and issues when entering or analyzing data. Here's how to address and prevent this error

[jamesmichael7890]

thanks to the Private Twitter Video Downloader

[michaelclarks]

he "Duplicate Column Header" error typically occurs when updating a form or spreadsheet where there are multiple columns with the same header name. This error message indicates that the column headers in the form or spreadsheet need to more be unique to avoid confusion and ensure accurate data organization.

To resolve this issue, you will need to make sure that each column header has a distinct name. You can do this by modifying the headers to include additional information or by renaming them entirely. For example, if you have two columns with the header name "Name," you can change one of them to "First Name" and the other to "Last Name.

[VickiG]

Hi Michael, 

Thanks for the clear explanation. I thought I had figured it out, I had copied the original pages for survey, choices, etc. to another page within the workbook for reference, so I had duplicated headers within the workbook, but removing them didn't work.

So back to last know good configuration...at least I have one that is working.

Thanks again!

[VerifyBtc]

Here are a few steps you can follow:

1. Open your form editor: Access the form editor or builder tool that you are using to modify your form.

2. Review the column headers: Check all the column headers in your form. Look for any duplicates or columns with identical names.

3. Modify duplicate headers: If you find any duplicate column headers, rename them to make them unique. This could involve changing the text slightly of alicia devide or adding a number or identifier to differentiate them.

4. Update form settings: Once you have made the necessary changes to the column headers, save your modifications and update the form settings.

5. Test the form: After updating the form, test it to ensure that the "Duplicate Column Header" error no longer appears. Submit the form with sample data to verify that it functions as expected.

By ensuring that each column in your form has a unique header, you should be able to resolve the "Duplicate Column Header" error and proceed with updating your form successfully.