This page is a quick reference checkpoint for FIRST VALUE in Redshift: behavior, syntax rules, edge cases, and a minimal example; plus the official vendor documentation.
FIRST_VALUE returns the first value in the window frame.
No behavioral details such as default frame clause, NULL-handling, or ordering constraints are described.
If this behavior feels unintuitive, the tutorial below explains the underlying pattern step-by-step.
Syntax supports FIRST_VALUE(value_expr) OVER (window); window must include ORDER BY.
SELECT FIRST_VALUE(price) OVER (ORDER BY price) AS first_val FROM products;
If you came here to confirm syntax, you’re done. If you came here to get better at window functions, choose your next step.
FIRST VALUE is part of a bigger window-function pattern. If you want the “why”, start here: First Last Nth Value
For the authoritative spec, use the vendor docs. This page is the fast “sanity check”.
View Redshift Documentation →Looking for more functions across all SQL dialects? Visit the full SQL Dialects & Window Functions Documentation.