This page is a quick reference checkpoint for LEAD in Spark SQL: 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.
LEAD returns the value from a subsequent row based on the ordering defined in the window; if no row exists, returns NULL or the provided default.
If this behavior feels unintuitive, the tutorial below explains the underlying pattern step-by-step.
`LEAD(expr, offset, default)is listed with its full signature; Spark shows it must be used with anOVER` clause.
SELECT id, value, LEAD(value, 1) OVER (ORDER BY id) AS next_value FROM table;
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 Spark SQL Documentation →Looking for more functions across all SQL dialects? Visit the full SQL Dialects & Window Functions Documentation.