FIRSTNONBLANK

The first of a column's values, in their order, for which an expression is not blank.

Group: Time intelligence. Compatible with DAX.

Syntax

FIRSTNONBLANK ( <column>, <expression> )

Parameter	Type	Description
`column`	Column	The column whose values are gone through, in their sort order: dates, numbers or text. A table of one column works too: `VALUES ( Periods[Month] )`, or one made in the query, such as a variable's or `CALENDAR`'s.
`expression`	Expression evaluated for each row	Tried for each value until it is not blank; usually a measure.

Returns

Table. The first value of the column for which the expression is not blank, as a table of one row.

Remarks

The values are those visible in the filter context, smallest first: dates from the earliest, text in alphabetical order.
The expression sees each value as a row, not as a filter. A measure turns the row into a filter by itself; a plain aggregation such as SUM ( Ledger[Amount] ) does not, and then every value passes: wrap it in CALCULATE.
When no value qualifies, the table is empty and shows as blank.
Over a table made in the query, the expression reads the table's column in each row, as in example 3.
For the expression's value itself rather than the column's, use FIRSTNONBLANKVALUE.

Examples

The first month with a booked amount, by scenario

The forecast starts in 2026.

EVALUATE
SUMMARIZECOLUMNS (
    Ledger[Scenario],
    "First month", FIRSTNONBLANK ( Periods[Month], [Booked amount] )
)
ORDER BY Ledger[Scenario]

Ledger[Scenario]	First month
Actual	2024-01-01
Budget	2024-01-01
Forecast	2026-01-01

On a column of product names

The first and last product, in alphabetical order, that has liters sold.

EVALUATE
ROW (
    "First", FIRSTNONBLANK ( Sales[Product], [Liters sold] ),
    "Last", LASTNONBLANK ( Sales[Product], [Liters sold] )
)

First	Last
Cider	Pils

Over a table made in the query

The days come smallest first whatever order they are written in: the first day over 1 is 2, the last below 3 is 2.

EVALUATE
VAR Days = DATATABLE ( "Day", INTEGER, { { 3 }, { 1 }, { 2 } } )
RETURN
    ROW (
        "First over 1", FIRSTNONBLANK ( Days, IF ( [Day] > 1, [Day] ) ),
        "Last below 3", LASTNONBLANK ( Days, IF ( [Day] < 3, [Day] ) )
    )

First over 1	Last below 3
2	2

LASTNONBLANK, FIRSTNONBLANKVALUE, FIRSTDATE, CALCULATE.

Last updated 3 November 2026 · OpenBI Studio 0.3.74