This will work when your original PaperID is always 5 characters like in 004.1
Put this in the criteria-line of the field PaperID in the query grid:
Len([PaperID]=5

Or maybe something like Len([PaperID] <7 when you have 4, 5 or 6 characters originally...

Arno R

Wild problem..

let me get this straight.. with some examples...

PaperD
004.1
1.004.1
2.004.1
005.1
1.005.1

The count of the above would only be 2, right?

If so, this is how you could do it...I think...

Send your papeerid to a function to extrapolate only the correct info
(everything to the right of the second period), and have your query
count the unique results of that.

You need to add your field "PaperID" to the query twice. The first will have
"Count" in the total row, the second will have "Where" in the total row and
Like("###.#") in the criteria row.  Your query would look for the result of
the count (an integer) to be like ###.#

Perhaps you could check on the length of the field.  Let's say you'd
never have a number greater than 004.9999 unless used.  You could then
create a column
    Expr1:Len(PaperID)
and in the criteria
    < 8

You could also create a function and put it in a code module.  This is
for A97.  You may be able to use SPLIT() to determine the number of
array elements in higher versions.  Ex:
Function OccurCnt(strField As String, strSearchFor As String) as Integer
    Dim intPos AS Integer
    Dim strHold As String
    strHold = strField
    Do while True
        intPos = Instr(strHold,strSearchFor)
        If intPos > 0 then
            strField = Mid(strHold,intPos + 1)
            OccurCnt = OccurCnt + 1
        Else
            Exit Do
        Endif
    Loop
End Function

Now in your query you can create a column like this
    Expr1:OccurCnt([PaperID],".")
to search for all occurrences of a period and in the criteria enter
    1
since those reused will have more than 1 period.
   

I want to say "Thanks!" to everyone who replied.