Grafana is an open-source tool for visualizing and monitoring data from various sources, offering multiple display options like time series graphs, heatmaps, and 3D charts. A common task in Grafana is retrieving the latest value from a data range, which can be achieved using instant queries for efficiency, as they return a single value rather than multiple data points. This is particularly useful when using the stat panel, which highlights the latest or current value with a colorful background and optional sparkline, allowing users to see a small time series graph in the background. Challenges, such as seeing "N/A" in visualizations, can occur if no data points exist within the selected time range, but can be mitigated by adjusting the time range, using the query inspector, or setting custom "No Value" options. The article encourages users to explore Grafana's capabilities, join discussions in the community forum, and consider trying Grafana Cloud for advanced observability features.