Duplicate Detection

Prevent duplicate records by detecting similar titles when creating new records.

Duplicate detection helps keep your workspace organized by warning you when you’re about to create a record with a title similar to an existing one. This feature uses fuzzy matching to catch potential duplicates even when titles aren’t exactly the same.

Enabling Duplicate Detection

Duplicate detection is a per-workspace setting. To enable it:

  1. Navigate to Workspace Settings > Records
  2. Check the Duplicate detection checkbox under the Record Options section
  3. The setting saves automatically

Once enabled, Blue will check for similar records whenever you create a new record from the board quick add, database view, or the create record dialog.

How It Works

When you enter a title for a new record, Blue searches your workspace for records with similar titles using fuzzy matching. If similar records are found, a modal appears showing:

  • The title you’re trying to create
  • A list of similar existing records with similarity percentages
  • The list each similar record belongs to
  • Options to open the existing record or create your new record anyway

Similarity Matching

Blue uses intelligent fuzzy matching that catches:

  • Exact duplicates
  • Minor spelling variations
  • Similar phrasing
  • Partial matches

The similarity percentage helps you quickly assess how closely a potential duplicate matches your new record title.

Using the Similar Records Modal

When similar records are detected, you have three options:

  1. Open existing record - Click the “Open” button next to any similar record to view it. This closes the modal and opens the record panel.

  2. Create anyway - If the similar records aren’t actually duplicates, click “Create Anyway” to proceed with creating your new record.

  3. Cancel - Click “Cancel” to close the modal and modify your record title.

Where Duplicate Detection Works

Duplicate detection is active in all record creation contexts:

  • Board Quick Add - The inline field at the bottom of board columns
  • Database Quick Add - The quick add row in database/table view
  • Create Record Dialog - The full record creation dialog (keyboard shortcut: R)

Workspace Scope

Duplicate detection only searches for similar records within the current workspace. Records from other workspaces are not included in the similarity check, ensuring relevant results without noise from unrelated projects.

Best Practices

  • Enable for high-volume workspaces - Particularly useful for workspaces with many records where duplicates are likely
  • Review before dismissing - Take a moment to check the similar records list before creating anyway
  • Use descriptive titles - More descriptive record titles help the detection system work more effectively