# Deduplication Constraints

There are some constraints on deduplication when using other IDOL parameters.

## Use the Combine Operation

The IDOL Content component cannot use the same `ReferenceType` field for deduplication as it uses for the `Combine` action parameter. The `Combine` operation occurs at query time and clashes with deduplication. If you intend to deduplicate when indexing and use the `Combine` action parameter, you must set up separate `ReferenceType` fields for these processes.

Related Topics

- Use KillDuplicates and Combine on ReferenceType Fields

## Use Deduplication with DIH Reference-Based Indexing

You can enable the DIH for reference-based indexing. Refer to the DIH Administration Guide.

If you index documents into IDOL with the DIH enabled for reference-based indexing, it might prevent deduplication of documents with different references. In this case, use only one of the following deduplication options:

- `KillDuplicates=REFERENCE`

- `KillDuplicates=NONE`

## Use Deduplication with DIH Field-Based Indexing

You can use field-based indexing in the DIH to ensure correct deduplication in a distributed system. For more information on configuring the DIH for field-based indexing, refer to the DIH Administration Guide.

If you set `KeepExisting` to `False`, or use `KillDuplicatesDB` options, it might prevent correct deduplication. To deduplicate correctly, you can distribute data by the `DeDupeHash` field (MD5 hash) of the documents. In this way, DIH sends all duplicates to the same child server. Setting `KillDuplicates` to `DeDupeHash` during the indexing action then ensures accurate deduplication.

To use a field for deduplication, you must configure it as a `ReferenceType` field. You do not need to configure it as `ReferenceType` in the DIH configuration file.

Deduplication of content occurs for all reference fields specified in a single `PropertyFieldCSVs` list in the IDOL Content component configuration file. To use only the `DeDupeHash` field to deduplicate, and not also the `DREREFERENCE`, you must set these reference fields in separate field processing sections in the IDOL Content component configuration file.

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