How to Retrieve Latest Record Based on Maximum Field Value in Mapping (XPath Expression Example)

Scenario:
In some cases, your input data may contain multiple records having the same key field (for example, PARTY_ID). The requirement is to select only the record with the maximum value in another field (for example, VDATETIME) and use a corresponding field (like ADDRESS_SOURCE) for mapping to the target.

Requirement:

For each key (e.g., PARTY_ID), pick the record with the highest (latest) value in another field (e.g., VDATETIME) and map the desired field (e.g., ADDRESS_SOURCE) into the target field (e.g., ADDRESS_DESTINATION).

Note:
The field names used below — PARTY_ID, ADDRESS_SOURCE, VDATETIME, and ADDRESS_DESTINATION — are for illustration only.
You can replace them with actual field names as per your mapping requirement.

Example Input File

Expected Output File

XPath Expression (Textual Rule Example):

/Root/Record[KeyField = current()/KeyField][CompareField = max(/Root/Record[KeyField = current()/KeyField]/CompareField)]/ValueField

Replace as per your fields:

Example Using Actual Fields:

/Root/Record[PARTY_ID = current()/PARTY_ID][VDATETIME = max(/Root/Record[PARTY_ID = current()/PARTY_ID]/VDATETIME)]/ADDRESS_SOURCE

Explanation:

• current()/KeyField → Refers to the key value of the current record.

• /Root/Record[KeyField = current()/KeyField] → Selects all records sharing the same key.

• [CompareField = max(...)] → Chooses the record having the maximum comparison field value.

• /ValueField → Returns the field value from that selected record.
  
  

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Result:

This XPath ensures that:

• For each group of records (same key), only the record with the maximum comparison field value is selected.

• The desired field value from that record is mapped into the target output.