Last DataWindow expression function

Description

Gets the value in the last row in the specified column.

Syntax

<span>Last</span> ( <span>column</span> { FOR <span>range</span> { DISTINCT { <span>expres1</span> {, <span>expres2</span> {, ... } } } } } )

1	<span>Last</span> ( <span>column</span> { FOR <span>range</span> { DISTINCT { <span>expres1</span> {, <span>expres2</span> {, ... } } } } } )

Argument	Description
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: ALL – (Default) The value in the last of all rows in column. GROUP n – The value in the last row in column in the specified group. Specify the keyword GROUP followed by the group number: for example, GROUP 1. PAGE – The value in the last row in column on a page. For Crosstabs, specify CROSSTAB for range: CROSSTAB – (Crosstabs only) The value in the last row in column in the crosstab. For Graph and OLE objects, specify one of the following: GRAPH – (Graphs only) The value in the last row in column in the range specified for the Rows option. OBJECT – (OLE objects only) The value in the last row in column in the range specified for the Rows option.
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 Values

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.
For Graph controls, Rows can be All, Page, or Group.
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:

<span>Last</span>(dept_id for group 2 DISTINCT)

1	<span>Last</span>(dept_id for group 2 DISTINCT)

This expression returns the last value in the column
named emp_id in group 2:

<span>Last</span>(emp_id for group 2)

1	<span>Last</span>(emp_id for group 2)

Last – PB Docs 150