ROW NUMBER in PostgreSQL - Examples & AI Generator

Writing ROW NUMBER queries in PostgreSQL can be tricky—especially when switching from other SQL databases where syntax or window function behavior might differ. Remembering the correct use of PARTITION BY and ORDER BY is a common challenge for SQL developers, analysts, and engineers. AI2sql solves this instantly, letting you generate production-ready ROW NUMBER queries from plain language in under 10 seconds, no coding required.

ROW NUMBER Syntax in PostgreSQL

How ROW NUMBER Works

In PostgreSQL, ROW NUMBER is a window function that assigns a unique sequential number to each row within a result set partition. It's often used for ranking, deduplication, or pagination.

• Syntax:

ROW_NUMBER() OVER ([PARTITION BY partition_expression] ORDER BY sort_expression)

Key PostgreSQL detail: Both OVER and ORDER BY clauses are mandatory for meaningful ROW NUMBER sequencing.

ROW NUMBER Examples You Can Generate Instantly

Here are copy-paste-ready ROW NUMBER PostgreSQL examples for common business use cases:

1. Rank Customers by Total Orders

SELECT
  customer_id,
  name,
  total_orders,
  ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY total_orders DESC) AS customer_rank
FROM customers;

2. Get Latest Order Per Customer

SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT *,
    ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY customer_id ORDER BY order_date DESC) AS rn
  FROM orders
) sub
WHERE rn = 1;

3. Deduplicate Product Listings

SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT *,
    ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY product_code ORDER BY updated_at DESC) AS rn
  FROM products
) p
WHERE rn = 1;

Generate ROW NUMBER queries in 10 seconds with AI2sql.

Why Use AI2sql Instead of Manual ROW NUMBER Coding

• No memorization: Skip PostgreSQL-specific syntax—just describe your task.

• Instant conversion: Go from idea to production-ready query in seconds.

• Consistency: 50,000+ users across 80+ countries rely on AI2sql for error-free, business-grade SQL.

• Cross-database support: Quickly check syntax changes when switching SQL engines.

Stop wasting time debugging window functions. Try AI2sql Generator or Learn ROW NUMBER to boost productivity instantly.

FAQ: ROW NUMBER in PostgreSQL

• Q: Can I use ROW NUMBER without ORDER BY in PostgreSQL?

• A: No. ORDER BY inside the OVER clause is required for deterministic row numbering.

• Q: How is ROW NUMBER different from RANK in PostgreSQL?

• A: ROW NUMBER assigns a unique sequence. RANK can assign the same rank to ties, skipping numbers for duplicates.

• Q: Does AI2sql support custom partitioning for ROW NUMBER?

• A: Yes. Describe your partition logic and AI2sql generates the precise syntax instantly.

Ready to simplify complex SQL? With AI2sql, generating correct ROW NUMBER queries in PostgreSQL takes less than 10 seconds. No manual coding, no memorization, and total accuracy every time. Generate Your First Query Now.