This page is a quick reference checkpoint for LEAD in MySQL: behavior, syntax rules, edge cases, and a minimal example; plus the official vendor documentation.
LEAD returns a value from the next row in the window partition.
Returns the value from a following row in the window; if the offset row does not exist, returns the default or NULL.
If this behavior feels unintuitive, the tutorial below explains the underlying pattern step-by-step.
LEAD(expr [, offset [, default ]]) OVER ([PARTITION BY partition_expression] [ORDER BY order_expression])
SELECT LEAD(salary, 1, 0) OVER (PARTITION BY dept ORDER BY salary) AS next_salary FROM employees;
If you came here to confirm syntax, you’re done. If you came here to get better at window functions, choose your next step.
LEAD is part of a bigger window-function pattern. If you want the “why”, start here: Lead Lag
Reading docs is useful. Writing the query correctly under pressure is the skill.
For the authoritative spec, use the vendor docs. This page is the fast “sanity check”.
View MySQL Documentation →Looking for more functions across all SQL dialects? Visit the full SQL Dialects & Window Functions Documentation.