>I am not sure I understand your suggestions, could you give me a sample line of code? Thanks for your time.

3 options: Not all applicable in all situations.

ORIGINAL

SELECT name_line1, first_name, last_name FROM accounts ;
WHERE NOT EMPTY(last_name) ;
GROUP BY name_line1 ;
ORDER BY last_name INTO ARRAY aClientNames

ELIMINATE NON-GROUPED FIELDS FROM FIELD LIST

SELECT name_line1 FROM accounts ;
WHERE NOT EMPTY(last_name) ;
GROUP BY name_line1 ;
ORDER BY last_name INTO ARRAY aClientNames

ADD AGGREGATE FUNCTIONS TO NON-GROUPED FIELDS

SELECT name_line1, MAX (first_name), MAX (last_name) FROM accounts ;
WHERE NOT EMPTY(last_name) ;
GROUP BY name_line1 ;
ORDER BY last_name INTO ARRAY aClientNames

ADD NON-GROUPED FIELDS TO GROUP BY CLAUSE

SELECT name_line1, first_name, last_name FROM accounts ;
WHERE NOT EMPTY(last_name) ;
GROUP BY name_line1, first_name, last_name  ;
ORDER BY last_name INTO ARRAY aClientNames

In your example, which, if I understand correctly, only 1 first and last name can possibly be returned with name_line1, this syntax would appear to be redundant. In most cases, it isn't.

HTH,
Jay