# How to use DISTINCT and COUNT in the Object Store

The [**Object Store**](https://docs.digibee.com/documentation/connectors-and-triggers/connectors/structured-data/object-store) is a non-relational database, which means its commands and processes differ from those commonly used in relational databases. This article explains how to:

1. Group identical items in the **Object Store** (similar to the `DISTINCT` command in relational databases).
2. Count the number of stored objects.

## **Using DISTINCT**

To group and retrieve unique values in the **Object Store** connector:

1. In **Operation**, select **Aggregate**.
2. In **Query**, use the following command, replacing `"$price"` with the field you want to group by:

```php
[{
    $group: {_id: null, uniqueValues: {$addToSet: "$price"}}
}]
```

This operation outputs only the unique values. For example:

```json
{
  "data": [
    {
      "uniqueValues": [
        699,
        1620,
        5000
      ]
    }
  ],
  "rowCount": 0
}
```

## **Using COUNT**

To count the total number of records in the **Object Store**:

1. In **Operation**, select **Aggregate**.
2. In **Query**, use the following command:

```php
[{
    $group: {_id: null, count: { $sum: 1 }}
}]
```

This operation returns the total number of records stored in the Object Store.

For further details, refer to the [**Object Store**](https://docs.digibee.com/documentation/connectors-and-triggers/connectors/structured-data/object-store) connector documentation.