How to Use the RANK.EQ Function in Excel

Today, we will explore the RANK.EQ function, a remarkably handy tool in both Excel and Google Sheets. This function is designed to determine the rank of a number within a list, considering its numeric value. We will delve into the mechanics of this function, cover its syntax, and provide practical examples of its application.

Syntax

The syntax for the RANK.EQ function is straightforward:

RANK.EQ(number, ref, [order])
  • number: The value you wish to determine the rank for.
  • ref: The array or range of numbers against which the number is ranked.
  • order (optional): Defines the ranking order. By default, or when set to 0, it ranks numbers such that the largest value receives a rank of 1. If set to 1, the ranking is reversed, and the smallest value gets the top rank.

Examples

To better understand the RANK.EQ function, let’s examine a couple of examples.

Example 1: Basic Ranking

In our first scenario, we’re seeking to find the rank of the number in cell B1, given a list of numbers in cells A1 to A5.

A B
10 =RANK.EQ(B1, $A$1:$A$5, 0)

Should cell B1 contain the number 10, the RANK.EQ function will return 2, positioning 10 as the second largest number in the list.

Example 2: Handling Ties

The RANK.EQ function is also capable of managing tied values by assigning an identical rank to them. Here’s how it handles such scenarios:

A B
10 =RANK.EQ(B1, $A$1:$A$5, 1)

If the number 10 occurs multiple times within the list, RANK.EQ will assign the same rank to each occurrence, creating gaps in the ranking sequence. For instance, if two entries are both ranked 1, the rank for the subsequent entry jumps to 3.

As demonstrated, the RANK.EQ function is an effective and essential tool for ranking numerical values in Excel and Google Sheets, especially useful for organizing and analyzing large datasets.

More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/rank-eq-function-284858ce-8ef6-450e-b662-26245be04a40

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