Just because I show you, doesn't mean its the right thing to do. I still think presentation layer would be best.Declare @table table (id int identity(1,1) not null, col1 varchar(100), col2 varchar(100))Insert Into @table Values ('a4','b1')Insert Into @table Values ('a2','b1')Insert Into @table Values ('a1','b2')Insert Into @table Values ('a3','b2')Insert Into @table Values ('a3','b1')Insert Into @table Values ('a3','b3')Insert Into @table Values ('a1','b1')Select col1, col1_n = case when exists(Select * From @table Where id < A.id and col1 = A.col1) then '--' else col1 end, col2From @table as AOrder By A.col1Corey