Return the latest record in a query / database

Retrieving the most recent entry from a database table is a common task in application development. Whether you need to display the latest news article, show the user's most recent activity, or fetch the most up-to-date information, having a straightforward way to get the last record can be incredibly useful.

In Xano, you can achieve this by leveraging the power of custom queries and output configuration. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to retrieve the last record from a database table:

1. Create a Custom Query

• In the Xano dashboard, navigate to the "Custom Queries" section.
• Click on the "Add Custom Query" button to create a new query.
• Name your query something descriptive, like "Get Last Record."

1. Configure the Query

• Instead of using the "Get Record" operation, select "Query All Records" from the dropdown menu.
• This will fetch all records from the table initially.

1. Set the Output

• In the Output section, change the "Return" option to "Single."
• This instructs Xano to return only a single record as the result.

1. Add Sorting

• Click on the "Add Sort" button in the Output section.
• Select the field you want to sort by, typically the "created_at" or a timestamp field.
• Choose the "Descending" sort order.
• This will sort the records with the most recent timestamp first.

1. Save and Test

• Click the "Save" button to save your custom query configuration.
• You can now test the query by clicking the "Test" button.
• The response should contain a single record, which is the most recent entry based on the sorted timestamp field.

By following these steps, you can easily fetch the last record from your database table in Xano. This approach leverages the flexibility of custom queries and output configuration to achieve the desired result efficiently.

Keep in mind that this technique assumes that your table has a timestamp field (like "created_at") that accurately reflects the record's creation or modification time. If you need to sort by a different field or have additional requirements, you can adjust the query and output settings accordingly.

Xano's no-code approach empowers you to build and deploy backend services without writing any code, making it an excellent tool for developers, citizen developers, and non-technical users alike. Whether you're building a minimum viable product (MVP), an internal tool, or a full-fledged application, Xano streamlines the backend development process, allowing you to focus on creating value for your users.