How to Use RANK Function in Excel with Multiple Examples (Video in Khmer)

Hello everyone! Today I show you very easy step-by-step how to use RANK() function in Microsoft Excel with multiple real examples.

RANK function is very useful when you want to find the position of a number in a list. For example: rank students by score, rank products by sales, or rank employees by performance!

🛠️ How RANK Function Work?

The RANK function check a number and compare it with other numbers in a range. Then it return which position (rank number) that number is — like 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place.

Formula Syntax:

=RANK(number, ref, [order])

⚠️ Important: Always lock your ref range with $ signs like $A$2:$A$10 so when you copy formula down, the range does not move!

📺 Example #1: Rank Score from Highest to Lowest (order = 0)

If column A has student scores and you want to rank from highest score = rank 1:

=RANK(A2, $A$2:$A$10, 0)

• Score 95 → 1 (1st place, highest)
• Score 75 → 3 (3rd place)
• Score 30 → 9 (9th place, lowest)

📺 Example #2: Handle Scores with RANK

If two students both have score 75, RANK will give both of them the same rank number and skip the next rank:

=RANK(B2, $B$2:$B$5, 0)

📺 Example #3: Rank from Smallest to Largest (order = 1)

If you want smallest number to get rank 1 (like ranking time in a race — fastest = rank 1):

=RANK(A2, $A$2:$A$10, 1)

• Time 10 seconds → 1 (1st place, fastest)
• Time 25 seconds → 4 (4th place)

📚 Related Tutorial: Learn more foundational formulas in our guide on Top 15 Basic Excel Formulas for Beginners ↗!

💡 Easy Pro Tips for RANK Function

1. Always Lock the Range with $: Use $A$2:$A$10 instead of A2:A10 so when you drag formula down, the list range stay fixed and not move!
2. Use RANK.EQ or RANK.AVG: In newer Excel versions, RANK is same as RANK.EQ. If you want duplicates to get average rank instead of same rank, use RANK.AVG().
3. Combine with IF for Medal:

   =IF(RANK(A2,$A$2:$A$10,0)=1,"🥇 Gold", IF(RANK(A2,$A$2:$A$10,0)=2,"🥈 Silver","🥉 Bronze"))