Just trying to get further with the problem and I'm completely confused now. Just when I thought it all made sense! What I don't understand about your solution is that the table (Inventory)containing the manufacturer and Item now does not have the obj numbers. There is only one list of obj numbers which is with the table (partslist) that has the data from the drawing. So how does it know which item goes with which obj number in the partslist. Surely both tables have to contain the obj column ? Does the Inventory table have to have the Obj column (if it needs one) to be consecutively numbered? hmmm I'll have a strong cup of coffee and start playing with it step by step and see what I can work out. Something fun to do this weekend. What I would like to do it have the Inventory in Sheet1 then add the partslist to sheet2 as you suggested.....sorry for driving you nuts!