diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/application/components/data_grid/data_grid.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/application/components/data_grid/data_grid.tsx
index c499d1153a238..4eaf33c6f1570 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/application/components/data_grid/data_grid.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/application/components/data_grid/data_grid.tsx
@@ -260,20 +260,22 @@ export const DataGrid: FC<Props> = memo(
             <EuiFlexItem>
               <DataGridTitle title={props.title} />
             </EuiFlexItem>
-            <EuiFlexItem grow={false}>
-              <EuiCopy
-                beforeMessage={props.copyToClipboardDescription}
-                textToCopy={props.copyToClipboard}
-              >
-                {(copy: () => void) => (
-                  <EuiButtonIcon
-                    onClick={copy}
-                    iconType="copyClipboard"
-                    aria-label={props.copyToClipboardDescription}
-                  />
-                )}
-              </EuiCopy>
-            </EuiFlexItem>
+            {props.copyToClipboard && props.copyToClipboardDescription && (
+              <EuiFlexItem grow={false}>
+                <EuiCopy
+                  beforeMessage={props.copyToClipboardDescription}
+                  textToCopy={props.copyToClipboard}
+                >
+                  {(copy: () => void) => (
+                    <EuiButtonIcon
+                      onClick={copy}
+                      iconType="copyClipboard"
+                      aria-label={props.copyToClipboardDescription}
+                    />
+                  )}
+                </EuiCopy>
+              </EuiFlexItem>
+            )}
           </EuiFlexGroup>
         )}
         {errorCallout !== undefined && (
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..593e37175a2e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License;
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License.
+ */
+
+import { LatestFunctionConfigUI } from '../../../../../../../common/types/transform';
+
+import { latestConfigMapper, validateLatestConfig } from './use_latest_function_config';
+
+describe('useLatestFunctionConfig', () => {
+  it('should return a valid configuration', () => {
+    const config: LatestFunctionConfigUI = {
+      unique_key: [{ label: 'the-unique-key-label', value: 'the-unique-key' }],
+      sort: { label: 'the-sort-label', value: 'the-sort' },
+    };
+
+    const apiConfig = latestConfigMapper.toAPIConfig(config);
+
+    expect(apiConfig).toEqual({
+      unique_key: ['the-unique-key'],
+      sort: 'the-sort',
+    });
+    expect(validateLatestConfig(apiConfig).isValid).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('should return an invalid partial configuration', () => {
+    const config: LatestFunctionConfigUI = {
+      unique_key: [{ label: 'the-unique-key-label', value: 'the-unique-key' }],
+      sort: { label: 'the-sort-label', value: undefined },
+    };
+
+    const apiConfig = latestConfigMapper.toAPIConfig(config);
+
+    expect(apiConfig).toEqual({
+      unique_key: ['the-unique-key'],
+      sort: '',
+    });
+    expect(validateLatestConfig(apiConfig).isValid).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('should return false for isValid if no configuration given', () => {
+    expect(validateLatestConfig().isValid).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.ts b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.ts
index 7df6b11dc27ec..5c2d0cd1b1042 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/hooks/use_latest_function_config.ts
@@ -18,14 +18,10 @@ import { useAppDependencies } from '../../../../../app_dependencies';
  * Latest function config mapper between API and UI
  */
 export const latestConfigMapper = {
-  toAPIConfig(uiConfig: LatestFunctionConfigUI): LatestFunctionConfig | undefined {
-    if (uiConfig.sort === undefined || !uiConfig.unique_key?.length) {
-      return;
-    }
-
+  toAPIConfig(uiConfig: LatestFunctionConfigUI): LatestFunctionConfig {
     return {
-      unique_key: uiConfig.unique_key.map((v) => v.value!),
-      sort: uiConfig.sort.value!,
+      unique_key: uiConfig.unique_key?.length ? uiConfig.unique_key.map((v) => v.value!) : [],
+      sort: uiConfig.sort?.value !== undefined ? uiConfig.sort.value! : '',
     };
   },
   toUIConfig() {},
@@ -56,7 +52,8 @@ function getOptions(
     }));
 
   const sortFieldOptions: Array<EuiComboBoxOptionOption<string>> = indexPattern.fields
-    .filter((v) => !ignoreFieldNames.has(v.name) && v.sortable)
+    // The backend API for `latest` allows all field types for sort but the UI will be limited to `date`.
+    .filter((v) => !ignoreFieldNames.has(v.name) && v.sortable && v.type === 'date')
     .map((v) => ({
       label: v.displayName,
       value: v.name,
@@ -69,7 +66,8 @@ function getOptions(
  * Validates latest function configuration
  */
 export function validateLatestConfig(config?: LatestFunctionConfig) {
-  const isValid: boolean = !!config?.unique_key?.length && config?.sort !== undefined;
+  const isValid: boolean =
+    !!config?.unique_key?.length && typeof config?.sort === 'string' && config?.sort.length > 0;
   return {
     isValid,
     ...(isValid
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/latest_function_form.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/latest_function_form.tsx
index b4d035940192d..0a64b6803f19c 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/latest_function_form.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/latest_function_form.tsx
@@ -7,14 +7,20 @@
 import React, { FC } from 'react';
 import { i18n } from '@kbn/i18n';
 import { FormattedMessage } from '@kbn/i18n/react';
-import { EuiComboBox, EuiFormRow } from '@elastic/eui';
+import { EuiButtonIcon, EuiCallOut, EuiComboBox, EuiCopy, EuiFormRow } from '@elastic/eui';
 import { LatestFunctionService } from './hooks/use_latest_function_config';
 
 interface LatestFunctionFormProps {
+  copyToClipboard: string;
+  copyToClipboardDescription: string;
   latestFunctionService: LatestFunctionService;
 }
 
-export const LatestFunctionForm: FC<LatestFunctionFormProps> = ({ latestFunctionService }) => {
+export const LatestFunctionForm: FC<LatestFunctionFormProps> = ({
+  copyToClipboard,
+  copyToClipboardDescription,
+  latestFunctionService,
+}) => {
   return (
     <>
       <EuiFormRow
@@ -51,25 +57,55 @@ export const LatestFunctionForm: FC<LatestFunctionFormProps> = ({ latestFunction
             defaultMessage="Sort field"
           />
         }
+        helpText={
+          latestFunctionService.sortFieldOptions.length > 0
+            ? i18n.translate('xpack.transform.stepDefineForm.sortHelpText', {
+                defaultMessage: 'Select the date field to be used to identify the latest document.',
+              })
+            : undefined
+        }
       >
-        <EuiComboBox
-          fullWidth
-          placeholder={i18n.translate('xpack.transform.stepDefineForm.sortPlaceholder', {
-            defaultMessage: 'Add a sort field ...',
-          })}
-          singleSelection={{ asPlainText: true }}
-          options={latestFunctionService.sortFieldOptions}
-          selectedOptions={
-            latestFunctionService.config.sort ? [latestFunctionService.config.sort] : []
-          }
-          onChange={(selected) => {
-            latestFunctionService.updateLatestFunctionConfig({
-              sort: { value: selected[0].value, label: selected[0].label as string },
-            });
-          }}
-          isClearable={false}
-          data-test-subj="transformWizardSortFieldSelector"
-        />
+        <>
+          {latestFunctionService.sortFieldOptions.length > 0 && (
+            <EuiComboBox
+              fullWidth
+              placeholder={i18n.translate('xpack.transform.stepDefineForm.sortPlaceholder', {
+                defaultMessage: 'Add a date field ...',
+              })}
+              singleSelection={{ asPlainText: true }}
+              options={latestFunctionService.sortFieldOptions}
+              selectedOptions={
+                latestFunctionService.config.sort ? [latestFunctionService.config.sort] : []
+              }
+              onChange={(selected) => {
+                latestFunctionService.updateLatestFunctionConfig({
+                  sort: { value: selected[0].value, label: selected[0].label as string },
+                });
+              }}
+              isClearable={false}
+              data-test-subj="transformWizardSortFieldSelector"
+            />
+          )}
+          {latestFunctionService.sortFieldOptions.length === 0 && (
+            <EuiCallOut color="danger" iconType="alert" size="m">
+              <p>
+                <FormattedMessage
+                  id="xpack.transform.stepDefineForm.sortFieldOptionsEmptyError"
+                  defaultMessage="No date fields are available to sort on. To use another field type, copy the configuration to the clipboard and continue creating the transform in the Console."
+                />{' '}
+                <EuiCopy beforeMessage={copyToClipboardDescription} textToCopy={copyToClipboard}>
+                  {(copy: () => void) => (
+                    <EuiButtonIcon
+                      onClick={copy}
+                      iconType="copyClipboard"
+                      aria-label={copyToClipboardDescription}
+                    />
+                  )}
+                </EuiCopy>
+              </p>
+            </EuiCallOut>
+          )}
+        </>
       </EuiFormRow>
     </>
   );
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_form.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_form.tsx
index d5c83357f4db5..743572632b5af 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_form.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_form.tsx
@@ -104,12 +104,6 @@ export const StepDefineForm: FC<StepDefineFormProps> = React.memo((props) => {
       : stepDefineForm.latestFunctionConfig.requestPayload
   );
 
-  const pivotPreviewProps = {
-    ...usePivotData(indexPattern.title, pivotQuery, validationStatus, requestPayload),
-    dataTestSubj: 'transformPivotPreview',
-    toastNotifications,
-  };
-
   const copyToClipboardSource = getIndexDevConsoleStatement(pivotQuery, indexPattern.title);
   const copyToClipboardSourceDescription = i18n.translate(
     'xpack.transform.indexPreview.copyClipboardTooltip',
@@ -122,10 +116,25 @@ export const StepDefineForm: FC<StepDefineFormProps> = React.memo((props) => {
   const copyToClipboardPivotDescription = i18n.translate(
     'xpack.transform.pivotPreview.copyClipboardTooltip',
     {
-      defaultMessage: 'Copy Dev Console statement of the pivot preview to the clipboard.',
+      defaultMessage: 'Copy Dev Console statement of the transform preview to the clipboard.',
     }
   );
 
+  const pivotPreviewProps = {
+    ...usePivotData(indexPattern.title, pivotQuery, validationStatus, requestPayload),
+    dataTestSubj: 'transformPivotPreview',
+    title: i18n.translate('xpack.transform.pivotPreview.transformPreviewTitle', {
+      defaultMessage: 'Transform preview',
+    }),
+    toastNotifications,
+    ...(stepDefineForm.transformFunction === TRANSFORM_FUNCTION.LATEST
+      ? {
+          copyToClipboard: copyToClipboardPivot,
+          copyToClipboardDescription: copyToClipboardPivotDescription,
+        }
+      : {}),
+  };
+
   const applySourceChangesHandler = () => {
     const sourceConfig = JSON.parse(advancedEditorSourceConfig);
     stepDefineForm.searchBar.actions.setSearchQuery(sourceConfig);
@@ -377,12 +386,21 @@ export const StepDefineForm: FC<StepDefineFormProps> = React.memo((props) => {
           </EuiFlexGroup>
         ) : null}
         {stepDefineForm.transformFunction === TRANSFORM_FUNCTION.LATEST ? (
-          <LatestFunctionForm latestFunctionService={stepDefineForm.latestFunctionConfig} />
+          <LatestFunctionForm
+            copyToClipboard={copyToClipboardPivot}
+            copyToClipboardDescription={copyToClipboardPivotDescription}
+            latestFunctionService={stepDefineForm.latestFunctionConfig}
+          />
         ) : null}
       </EuiForm>
       <EuiSpacer size="m" />
-      <DataGrid {...pivotPreviewProps} />
-      <EuiSpacer size="m" />
+      {(stepDefineForm.transformFunction !== TRANSFORM_FUNCTION.LATEST ||
+        stepDefineForm.latestFunctionConfig.sortFieldOptions.length > 0) && (
+        <>
+          <DataGrid {...pivotPreviewProps} />
+          <EuiSpacer size="m" />
+        </>
+      )}
     </div>
   );
 });
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_summary.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_summary.tsx
index 4d2cb0e71a021..17deaa58ccb71 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_summary.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_define/step_define_summary.tsx
@@ -187,7 +187,8 @@ export const StepDefineSummary: FC<Props> = ({
           copyToClipboardDescription={i18n.translate(
             'xpack.transform.pivotPreview.copyClipboardTooltip',
             {
-              defaultMessage: 'Copy Dev Console statement of the pivot preview to the clipboard.',
+              defaultMessage:
+                'Copy Dev Console statement of the transform preview to the clipboard.',
             }
           )}
           dataTestSubj="transformPivotPreview"
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_form.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_form.tsx
index b72d70295b10f..97af8135f3899 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_form.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_form.tsx
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ export const StepDetailsForm: FC<Props> = React.memo(
             <EuiSwitch
               name="transformCreateIndexPattern"
               label={i18n.translate('xpack.transform.stepCreateForm.createIndexPatternLabel', {
-                defaultMessage: 'Create index pattern',
+                defaultMessage: 'Create Kibana index pattern',
               })}
               checked={createIndexPattern === true}
               onChange={() => setCreateIndexPattern(!createIndexPattern)}
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ export const StepDetailsForm: FC<Props> = React.memo(
                 label={i18n.translate(
                   'xpack.transform.stepDetailsForm.continuousModeDateFieldLabel',
                   {
-                    defaultMessage: 'Date field',
+                    defaultMessage: 'Date field for continuous mode',
                   }
                 )}
                 helpText={i18n.translate(
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_time_field.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_time_field.tsx
index 8ee2093a1e802..4af92c2147aaa 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_time_field.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/transform/public/app/sections/create_transform/components/step_details/step_details_time_field.tsx
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export const StepDetailsTimeField: FC<Props> = ({
   const noTimeFieldLabel = i18n.translate(
     'xpack.transform.stepDetailsForm.noTimeFieldOptionLabel',
     {
-      defaultMessage: "I don't want to use the time filter",
+      defaultMessage: "I don't want to use the time field option",
     }
   );
 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export const StepDetailsTimeField: FC<Props> = ({
       label={
         <FormattedMessage
           id="xpack.transform.stepDetailsForm.indexPatternTimeFieldLabel"
-          defaultMessage="Time field"
+          defaultMessage="Time field for Kibana index pattern"
         />
       }
       helpText={