Hi @LN,
i have implemented your solution from here: XLS form- Repeat select_one question until "A" is selected - #12 by LN
if (${count} = 0 or /indefinite-repeat/person[position()=${count}]/choice != 'a', ${count} + 1, ${count})
[/quote] into a repeat group - works a charm - thank you, once again...
It does not work for breaking a repeat group within a repeat group......am i asking too much to think there is a way to do that?
both the outer and inner repeats are indefinite. The form works fine when using the "Add Group" dialogue but i end up with a double-dialogue: selecting "Do Not Add" for the inner repeat means you get instantly faced with the outer repeat's "Add Group" dialogue = nasty! 
i'm guessing i hit the problems outlined here.
If so, no drama. i can side-step a bit of visual vomit until a solution is developed.