Elasticsearch Retrieving the Last Document in Elasticsearch

By Opster Team

Updated: Jul 23, 2023

| 1 min read

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss how to retrieve the last document in Elasticsearch. This can be useful in various scenarios, such as monitoring the latest log entries, tracking the most recent changes in a dataset, or displaying the latest user activity. If you want to learn about Elasticsearch document, check out this guide.

Using the Search API with Sort and Size Parameters

One way to retrieve the last document in Elasticsearch is by using the Search API with the `sort` and `size` parameters. The `sort` parameter allows you to specify the field by which the results should be sorted, while the `size` parameter limits the number of results returned.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Search API with the `sort` and `size` parameters:

1. Identify the field by which you want to sort the results. This field should be of a data type that can be sorted, such as a date or a number. For example, if you have a timestamp field called `@timestamp`, you can use it to sort the results.

2. Use the Search API with the `sort` parameter to sort the results in descending order based on the identified field. This will ensure that the last document appears first in the results.

   GET /your-index-name/_search
   {
     "sort": [
       {
         "@timestamp": {
           "order": "desc"
         }
       }
     ],
     "query": {
       "match_all": {}
     }
   }

3. Add the `size` parameter to the Search API request to limit the number of results to 1. This will ensure that only the last document is returned.

  GET /your-index-name/_search
   {
     "size": 1,
     "sort": [
       {
         "@timestamp": {
           "order": "desc"
         }
       }
     ],
     "query": {
       "match_all": {}
     }
   }

4. Execute the request, and the response will contain the last document in the specified index.

Conclusion

In conclusion, retrieving the last document in Elasticsearch can be achieved using the Search API with the `sort` and `size` parameters. It requires identifying a sortable field and adjusting the request parameters accordingly.