yeah you are right.   Over at sqlteam.com there is an area where people are into tuning sql statements - and that is what I am looking for...

well indeed this is actually an Access db and not a question specific to SQLserver per se.  In general the Access forums are not heavy in sql statements so thought...

Got the answer from another site....for anyone who reads this and has the same need...the following works great:

SELECT *

FROM Table1 As Main

WHERE Main.NameField In

(   SELECT TOP 1 Sub.NameField

    FROM...

no no - sorry but thanks for the effort....this returns only the single name of the most recurring name i.e. if I use your code with TOP 1 it will...

I've over-explained....here is the essence:

Have this Table:

Loc     Ref     Quant     Series       Boxed(this value from form)

A        1       1350         1350        ...