try
INSERT INTO table2
SELECT DISTINCT ON key key, name, field1, field2
FROM table1;
sherwin
Chris@pcguru.com writes:
>Hello,
>
>I'm sure I'll be flagged as a moron for asking this question, so be it.
>
>I have some tables of info with no primary keys. As a result the field I
>want to key on is repeated. My plan is to do a DISTINCT select from the
>un-keyed table into another table that does have constraints.
>
>Here is what I thought would work:
>
>INSERT INTO table2
> SELECT DISTINCT(key), name, field1, field2
> FROM table1;
>
>When I issue this statement it tells me that you cannot put in duplicate
>values into my key field. Why does it do that? If I issue the following
>statement I get exactly what I want:
>
>SELECT DISTINCT(phone) from table1;
>
>Am I using the DISTINCT function incorrectly? Is it taking all of the
>field and using them to create a distinct row?
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Chris.
>