---
title: "How to: Identify Duplicate Data Using the Create Index Operator"
slug: "create-index-operator-identifying-duplicate-data"
updated: 2025-09-25T21:03:00Z
published: 2025-09-25T21:03:00Z
canonical: "docs.unqork.io/create-index-operator-identifying-duplicate-data"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unqork.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Index Operator: Identifying Duplicate Data

## Overview

There are many ways to use the Create Index operator. You can use it to add new rows of information to an existing Data Table. Or, you can use it to filter out a specific row of data. You can also use the operator to find duplicate rows of information in a Data Table. Let's say you have a table of patient names, birthdays, and insurance statuses. Maybe when inputting this information, you added an entry twice. You can use the Create Index operator's key setting to find duplicate information to fix.

Here's how your module will look in the Module Builder:

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_22.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)

Here's how the completed use case will look in Express View, including a peek at the DevTools Console:

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_19.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)

## What You'll Learn

In this article, you'll learn how to use the Create Index operator to identify duplicate table rows.

## What You'll Need

To set up this use case, you’ll need:

- 1 Data Table component
- 1 Initializer component
- 2 Hidden components
- 1 ViewGrid component
- 1 Data Workflow component

To set up your Data Workflow, you'll need:

- 1 Input operator
- 1 Create Index operator
- 1 Output operator
- 1 Console operator

> [!NOTE]
> These instructions assume you have a new module open, saved, and with a title.

## Pre-Configuration

### Configure the Data Table Component

First, you'll set up a Data Table with a list of patient names, dates of birth, and their insurance status.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a **Data Table** component onto your canvas.
2. Enter dtPatients in the **Label** and **Property Name** fields.
3. In the data table, enter the following:

| firstName | lastName | dob | insurance |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Art | Venere | 11/11/1988 | Yes |
| Alisha | Slusarski | 6/30/1974 | No |
| Blair | Malet | 12/22/2000 | Yes |
| Willow | Kusko | 5/27/1984 | No |
| Meaghan | Garufi | 4/13/1994 | Yes |
| Abel | Maclead | 2/18/1965 | Yes |
| Willow | Kusko | 5/27/1984 | No |
| Ernie | Stenseth | 6/1/1966 | Yes |
| Jose | Stockham | 11/11/1988 | Yes |

> [!NOTE]
> You've intentionally added duplicate information for this use case.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_13(1).jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)
4. Click **Save**.

### Configure the Initializer Component

Now, you'll set up an Initializer component to trigger your Data Workflow. You'll add your Data Workflow soon.

1. Drag and drop an **Initializer** component onto your canvas, placing it below your Data Table.
2. Enter initPatients in the **Property ID** and **Canvas Label Text** fields.
3. Set the **Trigger Type** as **New Submission**.
4. In the **Outputs** table, enter the following:

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_17(1).jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)
  1. **Property ID**: enter dwfPatients.
  2. **Type**: enter trigger.
  3. **Value**: enter GO.
5. Click **Save**.

### Configure the Hidden Components

In the first Hidden component, you'll store your Data Workflow's output. In the second, you'll store the index data. That way, you can display stored data and your new data in a dashboard.

1. Drag and drop 2 **Hidden** components onto your canvas, placing them one after the other below your Initializer.
2. Enter the **Property ID** and **Canvas Label Text** as follows:

| Property ID | Canvas Label Text |
| --- | --- |
| patients | patients |
| vgIndex | vgIndex |
3. Set **Store Data in Database** toggle to **ON**.
4. **Save** each component as you add it.

## Configuration

### Configure the ViewGrid Component

Next, let's bring in a ViewGrid component so your end-user can see the patient information.

1. Drag and drop a **ViewGrid** component onto the canvas, placing it below your Data Table.
2. Enter Patients in the **Label** field.
3. Enter gridPatients in the **Property Name** field.
4. Enter null in the **Action** field.
5. Enter patients in the **ID** column of the **Inputs** table.
6. In the **Outputs** table, enter the following:
  1. **ID**: enter vgIndex.
  2. **Mapping**: enter index.
7. In the **Display** table, enter the following:

| ID | Formula | Heading |
| --- | --- | --- |
| patientIndex |  | Duplicates [2] |
| firstName |  | First Name |
| lastName |  | Last Name |
| dob |  | Date of Birth |
| insurance |  | Insurance? |

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_20.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)
8. Click **Save**.

### Configure the Data Workflow Component

Now, you'll set up your Data Workflow. You'll configure your Create Index operator to find duplicate Data Table entries. The easiest way to find duplicate patients is by searching their first and last names. You'll set up the operator to index all original patient entries **[1]** and duplicates **[2]**. You'll also add a Console operator to see your results.

1. Drag and drop a **Data Workflow** component onto your canvas. Place your Data Workflow below your ViewGrid component.
2. Enter dwfPatients in the **Canvas Label Text** and **Property Name** fields.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_21.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)

#### Configure the First Input Operator

1. Drag and drop an **Input** operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the **Input** operator's **Info** window as follows:

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Category | Input |
| Component | dtPatients |
| Required | No |
| Source | Default |

#### Configure the Create Index Operator

1. Drag and drop a **Create Index** operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the **Create Index** operator's **Info** window as follows:

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Category | Create Index |
| Label | Patients |
| Index Name | patientIndex |
| Starting Index | 1 |
| Keys | firstName, lastName |
3. Connect the output port (right) of the **Input** operator to the input port (left) of the **Create Index** operator.

#### Configure the Output Operator

1. Drag and drop an **Output** operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the **Output** operator's **Info** window as follows:

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Category | Output |
| Component | patients |
| Action | value |
3. Connect the output port (right) of the **Create Index** operator to the input port (left) of the **Output** operator.

#### Configure the Console Operator

1. Drag and drop a **Console** operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the **Console** operator's **Info** window as follows:

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Category | Console |
| Label | Indexed Patients |
3. Connect the output port (right) of the **Create Index** operator to the input port (left) of the **Console** operator.
4. Click **Save**.
5. **Save** your module.

Now you can test out your Data Workflow. Open up the DevTools Console, and you'll see your patients in alphabetical order by first name. The first instance of each patient has an index of **[1]**. You can see that Willow Kusko has a duplicate entry. The duplicate row has an index of **[2]**.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/DWF_Create_Index_19(1).jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A16Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=tpAC8iPinaGdPgQD4kUffPzkiOlk%2FsmGx9LX%2BHUBtKU%3D)

## Lab

You can view this complete use case here: [https://training.unqork.io/#/form/6042876fa00bbe0245aef208/edit](https://training.unqork.io/#/form/6042876fa00bbe0245aef208/edit).