RANK in Snowflake - Examples & AI Generator

The RANK function in Snowflake assigns a unique rank to rows within a result set, based on one or more specified columns. While it's a powerful way to analyze and segment business data, memorizing the precise Snowflake RANK syntax can be time-consuming—especially if you work across multiple databases where window functions may differ. AI2sql lets you generate production-ready RANK queries from plain English prompts, no coding required. For SQL developers, data analysts, and engineers—this means instant results, less troubleshooting, and a focus on insights, not syntax.

RANK Syntax in Snowflake

Basic RANK Usage

RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY partition_column ORDER BY sort_column)

• PARTITION BY divides the data into groups (optional).

• ORDER BY defines how rows are sorted within each partition.

Unlike some databases, Snowflake requires OVER(). Omitting it triggers an error. RANK will assign equal ranks for ties, skipping subsequent ranks accordingly.

RANK Examples You Can Generate Instantly

• Find top-selling products per category:

SELECT 
  category, product_name, sales,
  RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY category ORDER BY sales DESC) AS sales_rank
FROM products;

• Rank customers by total spend each year:

SELECT 
  customer_id, year, total_spend,
  RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY year ORDER BY total_spend DESC) AS spend_rank
FROM yearly_customer_spend;

• Identify order processing speed within teams:

SELECT 
  team, order_id, processing_time,
  RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY team ORDER BY processing_time ASC) AS speed_rank
FROM orders;

Generate RANK queries in 10 seconds with AI2sql

Why Use AI2sql Instead of Manual RANK Coding

• Instant syntax generation – No need to remember each platform’s window function rules.

• No coding required – Describe your ranking logic, get ready-to-run SQL for Snowflake.

• Focus on insights – Let AI2sql handle the syntax and edge cases, while you analyze the results.

• Trusted by 50,000+ users across 80+ countries

Optimize your workflow—AI2sql turns your business questions into accurate RANK queries for any use case or schema.

• Try AI2sql Generator

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FAQ: RANK in Snowflake

What is the difference between RANK, DENSE_RANK, and ROW_NUMBER in Snowflake?

RANK skips ranks upon ties, DENSE_RANK doesn’t skip, and ROW_NUMBER always assigns a unique sequence.

Can I use RANK without PARTITION BY in Snowflake?

Yes, simply omit PARTITION BY to rank the entire result set.

How do I return only the top N ranks per group in Snowflake?

Wrap your RANK query and filter by your desired rank in an outer SELECT (e.g., WHERE sales_rank <= 3).