i got the message "duplicate entry '7' for key 1" when i executed an insert query on my table. the query inserted the record alright but an error message was display "duplicate entry '7' for key 1". the record when inserted was the seventh and last record in the table and it was when i inserted that record i got that message for the first time.when i checked the table the value '7' was found in the primary key column and it is the only entry with value '7'. no duplication of 7 anywhere in the table.i am using XAMPP on windows platform. any help is greatly appreciated

There won't be any duplication, because the duplicate WASN'T inserted which is why the error message appeared.

It doesn't mean there IS a duplication, it means there would have been had the insert been completed.