Hi Does this work. From the top of my head didnt test select min(date_form),name from ( select date_form, name, lead(name,1,0) over(order by date_form) next_name from table1 ) x where (x.name=x.next_name OR x.name<>x.next_name) group by name regards Hrishy -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l