[Home](./index.md) > [@firebase/database](./database.md) > [startAfter](./database.startafter.md) ## startAfter() function Creates a `QueryConstraint` with the specified starting point (exclusive). Using `startAt()`, `startAfter()`, `endBefore()`, `endAt()` and `equalTo()` allows you to choose arbitrary starting and ending points for your queries. The starting point is exclusive. If only a value is provided, children with a value greater than the specified value will be included in the query. If a key is specified, then children must have a value greater than or equal to the specified value and a a key name greater than the specified key. Signature: ```typescript export declare function startAfter(value: number | string | boolean | null, key?: string): QueryConstraint; ``` ## Parameters | Parameter | Type | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | value | number \| string \| boolean \| null | The value to start after. The argument type depends on which orderBy*() function was used in this query. Specify a value that matches the orderBy*() type. When used in combination with orderByKey(), the value must be a string. | | key | string | The child key to start after. This argument is only allowed if ordering by child, value, or priority. | Returns: [QueryConstraint](./database.queryconstraint.md)