Get last item: last

The last filter returns the last item of a list or the last character of a string. It provides a clean, readable way to access the end of a sequence.

This is commonly used to get the final result from a sorted or filtered list. For example, after sorting sensorsSensors return information about a thing, for instance the level of water in a tank. [Learn more] by their state value, last gives you the highest reading. After filtering a list of recent events, last gives you the most recent one. It pairs naturally with first to access both ends of a sequence.

Usage

Here’s how to use this template function. Copy any example and adjust it to your setup.

{{ [10, 20, 30] | last }}

30

Function signature

The signature is a technical summary of this template function. It shows the name of the function, the values (called parameters) it accepts, and what type of data each parameter expects (for example, a piece of text or a number).

Function parameters that have a = with a value after them are optional. If you leave them out, the default value shown is used automatically. Function parameters without a default are required.

last(
    value: list,
) -> Any

Function parameters

The following parameters can be provided to this filter.

Good to know

• Raises an error when the sequence is empty. Chain with | default(value) for a fallback.
• After a generator-producing filter like select or map, add | list first. Otherwise the entire sequence is consumed just to find the end.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Template, paste the example into the Template editor, and watch the result update on the right. Edit the values to see how the function adapts to your own entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more].

More examples

Real scenarios where this function comes up in automations and templates. Copy any example and adapt it to your setup.

Get the entity with the highest temperature

Sort temperature sensors in ascending order and pick the last (highest) one.

{{
  expand("group.temperature_sensors")
  | sort(attribute="state")
  | map(attribute="entity_id")
  | last
}}

sensor.kitchen_temperature

Get the most recently changed entity

Sort entities by their last changed time and pick the last one.

{{
  expand("group.all_lights")
  | sort(attribute="last_changed")
  | map(attribute="entity_id")
  | last
}}

light.bedroom

Last character of a string

The last filter also works on strings, returning the last character.

{{ "Hello" | last }}

o

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with your template and expected result, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Related template functions

These functions work well alongside this one:

• Get first item: first - Returns the first item of a list or the first character of a string.

• Sort a list: sort - Sorts the items in a list, with optional attribute-based and reverse sorting.

• Filter items by test: select - Filters a list, keeping only items that pass a given test.