FIRST VALUE in BigQuery

This page is a quick reference checkpoint for FIRST VALUE in BigQuery: behavior, syntax rules, edge cases, and a minimal example; plus the official vendor documentation.

Function Details

FIRST_VALUE returns the first value in the window frame.

Returns the value of value_expression for the first row in the current window frame. Includes NULLs unless IGNORE NULLS specified.

If this behavior feels unintuitive, the tutorial below explains the underlying pattern step-by-step.

FIRST_VALUE(value_expression [{RESPECT | IGNORE} NULLS]) OVER (over_clause)

SELECT division, runner_name, finish_time, FIRST_VALUE(finish_time) OVER (PARTITION BY division ORDER BY finish_time) AS fastest_time FROM race_results;

What should you do next?

If you came here to confirm syntax, you’re done. If you came here to get better at window functions, choose your next step.

Understand the pattern

FIRST VALUE is part of a bigger window-function pattern. If you want the “why”, start here: First Last Nth Value

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Prove it with a real query

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Support Status

Supported: yes
Minimum Version: BigQuery is continuously updated and has no versioned SQL engine, so minimum version information does not apply.

Official Documentation

For the authoritative spec, use the vendor docs. This page is the fast “sanity check”.

View BigQuery Documentation →

Looking for more functions across all SQL dialects? Visit the full SQL Dialects & Window Functions Documentation.