SQL FIRST() Function

The FIRST() Function

The FIRST() function returns the first value of the selected column.

SQL FIRST() Syntax

SELECT FIRST(column_name) FROM table_name;

Note: The FIRST() function is only supported in MS Access.


SQL FIRST() Workaround in SQL Server, MySQL and Oracle

SQL Server Syntax

SELECT TOP 1 column_name FROM table_name
ORDER BY column_name ASC;

Example

SELECT TOP 1 CustomerName FROM Customers
ORDER BY CustomerID ASC;

MySQL Syntax

SELECT column_name FROM table_name
ORDER BY column_name ASC
LIMIT 1;

Example

SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers
ORDER BY CustomerID ASC
LIMIT 1;

Oracle Syntax

SELECT column_name FROM table_name
ORDER BY column_name ASC
WHERE ROWNUM <=1;

Example

SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers
ORDER BY CustomerID ASC
WHERE ROWNUM <=1;