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Window

Function NameDescription
COUNTReturns the total number of records for the specified expression.
COVAR_POPReturns the population covariance for non-NULL pairs across all input values.
COVAR_SAMPReturns the sample covariance for non-NULL pairs across all input values.
CUME_DISTReturns the cumulative distribution of the current row with regard to other values within the same window partition.
DENSE_RANKReturns the rank of the current row within its partition and ordering. Rows that are equal will have the same rank.
FIRST_VALUEReturns the first value within an ordered group of a result set.
LAGReturns the row before the current one in a partition based on the ORDER BY clause without the need for a self-join. If there are no rows, this function returns NULL.
LEADReturns the row after the current one in the same result set without the need for a self-join. If there are no rows, this function returns NULL.
MAXReturns the maximum value among the non-NULL input expressions.
MINReturns the minimum value among the non-NULL input expressions.
NDVReturns an approximate distinct value number, similar to COUNT(DISTINCT col). NDV can return results faster than using the combination of COUNT and DISTINCT while using a constant amount of memory, resulting in less memory usage for columns with high cardinality.
NTILEEqually splits the rows in each partition into ranked parts specified by the integer value and starting from 1. This function requires the ORDER BY clause.
PERCENT_RANKReturns the relative rank of the current row in the partition based on the ORDER BY clause. The displayed percentage ranges from 0.0 to 1.0.
RANKReturns the rank of the current row within its partition and placement order. Rows that are equal have the same rank. However, the count of tied rows is added to the next rank, instead of being incremented by one. The rank value starts at 1 and increases sequentially.
ROW_NUMBERReturns the row number for the current row based on the ORDER BY clause within each partition. Rows containing identical values receive different row numbers.
SUMReturns the sum of non-NULL input expressions.
VAR_POPReturns the population variance of non-NULL records.
VAR_SAMPReturns the sample variance of non-NULL records.

Window Function Syntax

A window function performs a calculation across a set of table rows that has some relationship to the current row. This is comparable to how an aggregate function can run a calculation. The difference is that a window function does not group rows into a single output row. With a window function, the rows retain their separate identities.

A window function call uses the OVER() clause directly following the window function's name and argument(s). The OVER() clause may use the following optional arguments:

  • PARTITION BY: Defines multiple window partitions.
  • ORDER BY: Orders rows within each partition.

Syntax

window_function (expression) OVER (
[ PARTITION BY expressionlist ]
[ ORDER BY fieldlist ] )

Aggregate Window Functions

The OVER() clause can be used with regular aggregate functions such as:

  • AVG
  • COUNT
  • MAX
  • MIN
  • SUM

Example

The following example uses the sample table provided below to show the OVER() clause used with the SUM aggregate function.

select 
product_id,
branch,
amount,
SUM(amount) OVER (partition by branch order by amount DESC) as total_branch_amount
from transactions
product_idbranchamounttotal_branch_amount
Product1A30.030.0
Product2A24.054.0
Product3A2.056.0
Product3B45.045.0
Product2B10.055.0
Product1B3.058.0

General-Purpose Window Functions

The OVER() clause can be used with the following functions:

FunctionReturn TypeDescription
CUME_DIST()DoubleCalculates the cumulative distribution of the current row within the window partition.
DENSE_RANK()BIGINTReturns the rank of the current row within its partition and ordering. Rows that are equal have the same rank.
LAG()Same as inputReturns the row before the current one in a partition. If there are no rows, returns null.
LEAD()Same as inputReturns the row after the current one in a partition. If there are no rows, returns null.
NTILE([integer] ntile)IntegerNTILE function equally splits the rows in each partition into N ranked parts. Has to be used with an ORDER BY clause.
PERCENT_RANK()DoubleReturns the percent rank of the current row in the partition based on the order by clause.
RANK()BIGINTReturns the rank of the current row within its partition and ordering. Rows that are equal have the same rank. However, the count of tied rows is added to the next rank, instead of being incremented by just one.
ROW_NUMBER()BIGINTReturns the row number for the current row based on the order by clause within each partition.

For more information about Window Functions, see SQL Window Functions.