In a given table, with a column "name," how can I prevent duplicate values from being submitted? Let's say I'm adding "Adam" or "Dropbox" to the "name" column, but there already exists that value in the column, how can I employ a data validation technique or a built-in duplicate entry prevention tool? (Ideally, the solution would guide the user and not allow them to enter a duplicate, but even alerting the user that the data they're entering is a duplicate is a huge step forward)
If there are only 10 values, this problem space is not so difficult, but I have 2,000 entries and counting. Utilizing the standard search function to check is a non-efficient method because it forces reliance on that extra task & is not so forward thinking.
I would imagine there must be some way to specify preference against the same exact name being entered twice. Anybody have any ideas or solutions?
(additionally, if anybody has any solutions for fixing/rectifying a database that already has plenty of duplicates, that would be incredibly helpful)