Splunk Search

Top syntax to display null fields when using 'by'?

Tisiphone_1
Explorer

When I use 'top' to create a top n list of fields, and I add two fields, using by, so:

top field1 by field2

if either field is not present in a result, it does not display in the list. I want to display events in my results even the secondary field is null. Is there any way to do this?

For example:

top infected person by infection

Even if I don't know what infection it is, I still want them to show up on the list of infected people, and I still want to see the infection if it is available.

1 Solution

Stephen_Sorkin
Splunk Employee
Splunk Employee

The best way to do this is to use the fillnull command to make the desired fields dense. In this case, you could try:

... | fillnull value=NULL person infection | top person by infection

View solution in original post

Tisiphone_1
Explorer

Thanks a ton, Stephen!

0 Karma

Stephen_Sorkin
Splunk Employee
Splunk Employee

The best way to do this is to use the fillnull command to make the desired fields dense. In this case, you could try:

... | fillnull value=NULL person infection | top person by infection
Get Updates on the Splunk Community!

Brains, Bytes, and Boston: Learn from the Best at .conf25

When you think of Boston, you might picture colonial charm, world-class universities, or even the crack of a ...

Splunk AppDynamics Agents Webinar Series

Mark your calendars! On June 24th at 12PM PST, we’re going live with the second session of our Splunk ...

SplunkTrust Application Period is Officially OPEN!

It's that time, folks! The application/nomination period for the 2025 SplunkTrust is officially open! If you ...