Tableau Funtion: LAST( )

Tableau Function: LAST( )

Category: Table Calculation Functions

Purpose

The LAST() function in Tableau is a table calculation that returns the relative position of the last row (or mark) in a partition. It tells you how far the current row is from the last row in the current partition, based on the defined sort order and computation scope.

In simple terms, LAST() answers:
“How many rows are between this row and the last row?”

Type of Calculations

• Table calculations

• Position-based calculations

• Relative offset calculations

• Order-dependent logic

Like FIRST() and INDEX(), LAST() is evaluated after aggregation and depends entirely on the view layout.

Practical Use Cases

• Identifying the last record in a partition

• Creating end-of-list logic

• Comparing values to the final value in a series

• Building custom filters (e.g., show last N rows)

• Highlighting or labeling ending values in trends

How It Works?

Logical Principle

LAST() calculates the offset distance from the last row in the partition:

Because Tableau counts backward rows as positive offsets:

• The last row always returns 0

• Rows before the last return increasing positive integers

Example Formula

Identifies only the last row in each partition

What Does It Return?

• Data Type: Integer

• Meaning:

  • Returns 0 for the last row in a partition

  • Returns positive integers (1, 2, 3, …) for rows before the last

Example Output

When Should We Use It?

Use LAST() when you need to:

• Identify or isolate the final value in a sorted dataset

• Compare values relative to the end of a partition

• Filter or highlight ending records

• Perform trend-end or closing value analysis

• Build logic that depends on the last row

Basic Usage

Identify the last row

• Returns TRUE only for the last mark
• Useful for labels or conditional formatting

Column Usage

Label the last record

Helps highlight the ending value in tables or charts

Advanced Usage

Compare each value to the last value

• Calculates variance from the final value
• Common in performance or trend-end analysis

Tips and Tricks

• Always define sorting explicitly before using LAST()

• Verify Compute Using to control partition behavior

• Combine with LOOKUP() for end-relative calculations

• LAST() values change if sort order changes

• Not suitable for row-level or LOD expressions

Related Functions You Might Need

Functions commonly used alongside or as alternatives to LAST():

• FIRST()

• INDEX()

• LOOKUP()

• RANK()

• WINDOW_MAX()

• RUNNING_SUM()

We’ve got plenty of resources to help you master Tableau functions. For more details, check out the official Tableau documentation. Or, if you’re ready for more practice, let’s dive into related functions and build your Tableau skills further!

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