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Assigns a unique sequential number to each row within a partition, starting from 1. Category: window Syntax: 
RowNumber()
Returns: Integer Context Filtering: ✓ Yes

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Parameters

This function takes no parameters. The row numbering is determined by the ORDER BY clause in the window specification.

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Validation

  • Minimum parameters: 0
  • Maximum parameters: 0

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Examples

RowNumber()
Returns a sequential number for each row, starting from 1, regardless of duplicate values. 
RowNumber()
When ordered by sales descending, assigns 1 to the highest sales, 2 to the next, etc. Unlike Rank, each row gets a unique number even if sales values are the same. Result: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ... 
RowNumber()
Useful for pagination, limiting results, or creating unique identifiers within a partition.
  • Rank - Assigns rank with gaps
  • DenseRank - Assigns rank without gaps
  • PercentRank - Calculates relative rank as percentage
  • Ntile - Divides rows into groups
  • RowNum - Alternative row numbering function
Last modified on March 13, 2026