Description
Gets the value in the last row in the specified column.
Syntax
Last ( column { FOR range { DISTINCT { expres1 {, expres2 {, ... } } } } } )
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Argument |
Description |
|---|---|
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column |
The column for which you want the value of the last row. Column can be a column name or a column number preceded by a pound sign (#). Column can also be an expression that includes a reference to the column. |
|
FOR range (optional) |
The data that will be included when the value in the last row is found. For most presentation styles, values for range are:
For Crosstabs, specify CROSSTAB for range:
For Graph and OLE objects, specify one of the following:
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DISTINCT (optional) |
Causes Last to consider only the distinct values in column when determining the last value. For a value of column, the first row found with the value is used and other rows that have the same value are ignored. |
|
expresn (optional) |
One or more expressions that you want to evaluate to determine distinct rows. Expresn can be the name of a column, a function, or an expression. |
Return value
The datatype of the column. Returns the value in the last row of column. If you specify range, Last returns the value of the last row in column in range.
Usage
If you specify range, Last determines the value of the last row in column in range. If you specify DISTINCT, Last returns the last distinct value in column, or if you specify expresn, the last distinct value in column where the value of expresn is distinct.
For graphs and OLE objects, you do not select the range when you call the function. The range has already been determined by the Rows setting on the Data property page (the Range property), and the aggregation function uses that range. Settings for Rows include the following:
-
For the Graph or OLE presentation style, Rows is always All.
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For Graph controls, Rows can be All, Page, or Group.
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For OLE controls, Rows can be All, Current Row, Page, or Group. The available choices depend on the layer the control occupies.
Not in validation rules or filter expressions
You cannot use this or other aggregate functions in validation rules or filter expressions.
Using an aggregate function cancels the effect of setting Retrieve Rows As Needed in the painter. To do the aggregation, a DataWindow object always retrieves all rows.
Examples
This expression returns the last distinct value in the column named dept_id in group 2:
Last(dept_id for group 2 DISTINCT)
This expression returns the last value in the column named emp_id in group 2:
Last(emp_id for group 2)
See also
