python - Remove duplicate value from dictionary without removing key -

i'm new python , having learn trial , error, haven't been able find solution problem i'm having.

i have dictionary looks this:

mydict = {'key1': ['item1', 'item2', 'item3'], 'key2': ['item4', 'item5', 'item6'],   'key3': 'item7', 'key4': 'item8', 'key5': ['item1', 'item2', 'item3'], 'key6': 'item7'} 

i need remove duplicate values dictionary , replace them empty value (""). found couple solution on here working intended

for key, value in mydict.items():     if values not in key newdict.values():         mydict[key] = value     else:         mydict[key] = "" print newdict 

this removing values , outputting

# newdict:{key1: '', key2: '', key3: '', key4: '', key5: '', key6: '') 

i'm looking output be

# newdict = {'key1': '', 'key2':['item4', 'item5', 'item6'], 'key3': '', 'key4':   'item8', key5: ['item1', 'item2', 'item3'], 'key6': 'item7'} 

you have right overall idea, there 3 problems code:

1. you're storing values mydict instead of newdict.
2. on line 2, you're checking values instead of value.
3. also on line 2, key shouldn't there, , throws syntaxerror.

here correct code:

newdict = {} key, value in mydict.iteritems():     if value not in newdict.values():         newdict[key] = value     else:         newdict[key] = "" print newdict 

if you're not in anti-ternary operator camp, shorten this:

newdict = {} key, value in mydict.iteritems():     newdict[key] = value if value not in newdict.values() else "" print newdict 

or, if rather remove values original dict (mydict) instead of building new 1 (newdict), this:

foundvalues = [] key, value in mydict.iteritems():     if value not in foundvalues:         foundvalues.append(mydict[key])     else:         mydict[key] = "" print mydict 

if need duplicate values removed in specific order, check out ordereddicts.

update:

in light of updated requirements -- values removed original dict, starting beginning -- if you're able initialize mydict ordereddict instead of dict, need replace this:

mydict = {'key1': ['item1', 'item2', 'item3'], 'key2': ['item4', 'item5', 'item6'], 'key3': 'item7', 'key4': 'item8', 'key5': ['item1', 'item2', 'item3'], 'key6': 'item7'} 

with this:

from collections import ordereddict  …  mydict = ordereddict([('key1', ['item1', 'item2', 'item3']), ('key2', ['item4', 'item5', 'item6']), ('key3', 'item7'), ('key4', 'item8'), ('key5', ['item1', 'item2', 'item3']), ('key6', 'item7')]) 

and use same code provided above.