> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bridgepointhq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Finding and Merging Duplicates

> Identify likely-duplicate client records and merge two records into one, choosing which values the surviving record keeps.

Over time the same person can end up with more than one record — a walk-in ticket that was never linked, a re-import, or a second intake. BridgePoint CRM gives you tools to find those duplicates and merge them into a single record without losing data.

<Note>
  Finding and merging duplicates requires the **Merge Clients** permission — available to **Owner**, **Admin**, and **Manager** roles. Case Managers and Front Desk staff cannot merge records.
</Note>

## Reviewing likely duplicates

The **Duplicates** page (`/clients/duplicates`) surfaces clusters of client records that look like the same person, grouped for review.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Duplicates">
    Navigate to the Duplicates page. Each card is a cluster of records that appear to match.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review a cluster">
    Compare the records in a cluster. If they are genuinely the same person, start a merge directly from the cluster. If they are different people, leave them as-is.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Starting a merge

You can reach the merge review screen three ways:

* From the **Duplicates** page, on a cluster you have confirmed.
* From the **Clients list**, by multi-selecting two records.
* From a **client profile**, using the merge action to find a record to merge with.

All three open the same **Merge Review** screen (`/clients/merge?a=…&b=…`).

## Choosing what the surviving record keeps

The merge review screen shows the two records side by side, field by field. One record survives; the other is merged into it. For each field you choose which record's value the survivor should keep.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick the primary (surviving) record">
    Choose which of the two records is the one to keep. The other record's data is carried into it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Resolve each field">
    Go down the field list and select the value to keep for each one. Some values move as a **unit**: the SSN carries its encrypted value and last-4 together, and a client portal account moves as a whole block.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Resolve cases and related data">
    Cases, household members, documents, and other related records from the merged record are re-parented onto the survivor. The surviving record keeps its own case-manager assignment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Review the summary in the confirmation dialog and confirm. The two records become one, and a success message appears.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  A merge combines two records into one. Review the field selections carefully before confirming — the surviving record is the single record that remains afterward.
</Warning>