This page is a quick reference checkpoint for FIRST VALUE in Spark SQL: behavior, syntax rules, edge cases, and a minimal example; plus the official vendor documentation.
FIRST_VALUE returns the first value in the window frame.
Returns the first value in the window frame based on the window's ORDER BY and frame specification.
If this behavior feels unintuitive, the tutorial below explains the underlying pattern step-by-step.
`FIRST_VALUE(expr)`requires an OVER clause; Spark documents it with one required argument.
SELECT category, amount, FIRST_VALUE(amount) OVER (PARTITION BY category ORDER BY amount) AS first_amount FROM sales;
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 Spark SQL Documentation →Looking for more functions across all SQL dialects? Visit the full SQL Dialects & Window Functions Documentation.