>>Thanks for ideas -- I've diagnosed the problem, and it's 'start new column at' grouping variable. It will print the 2 columns of data fine on page 1 with lots of room to spare but always adds a blank page 2, because the report thinks there's more data (my guess, anyway). I'll have to fiddle with it to get the 'when group changes' defined more clearly so that the report won't think there's another column coming when there really isn't...
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>OK. That fits with what I was attempting to suggest about both the possibility of implicitly "invisible" data and also the "start new group" aspect from the report form viewpoint (if report forms could have one (g) ). Your conclusion seems to make sense; that's encouraging. :) Good luck with it and please keep me posted with your resolution. /psb.

Well, that was easy. I just grouped on the col 1 and let the rest of the data print col 2 by default instead of trying to group on col 2...'once you've found what's wrong, the rest is a piece of cake' is the operative adage here. :~)