[discrete]
[[esql-greatest]]
=== `GREATEST`

*Syntax*

[.text-center]
image::esql/functions/signature/greatest.svg[Embedded,opts=inline]

*Parameters*

`first`::
First of the columns to evaluate.

`rest`::
The rest of the columns to evaluate.

*Description*

Returns the maximum value from multiple columns. This is similar to <<esql-mv_max>>
except it is intended to run on multiple columns at once.

NOTE: When run on `keyword` or `text` fields, this returns the last string
      in alphabetical order. When run on `boolean` columns this will return
      `true` if any values are `true`.

include::types/greatest.asciidoc[]

*Example*

[source.merge.styled,esql]
----
include::{esql-specs}/math.csv-spec[tag=greatest]
----
[%header.monospaced.styled,format=dsv,separator=|]
|===
include::{esql-specs}/math.csv-spec[tag=greatest-result]
|===