# Rank, index, percentile and table calculation addressing

*Tableau Data Analyst Study Guide · Explore and Analyze Data · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-data-analyst/explore-and-analyze-data/rank-index-percentile-and-table-calculation-addressing*

Pick the ranking function or Rank type from how ties and direction must behave, read INDEX, FIRST, LAST and SIZE for any row, and customize a table calculation with Compute Using, Specific Dimensions and Restarting every so it addresses and partitions the view the way the requirement needs.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Data Analyst
- Exam section: Explore and Analyze Data
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-data-analyst

**Official exam objective:**

> Create table calculations: Moving average and window average; Percent of total; Running total; Difference and percent of difference; Percentile; Index; Ranking; Apply quick table calculations; Customize table calculations.

## What the exam expects

- Choose RANK, RANK_DENSE, RANK_MODIFIED, RANK_UNIQUE or RANK_PERCENTILE (or the matching Rank type in the dialog) from how ties and order must behave.
- Set ascending or descending order so the right mark gets rank 1, and read a percentile rank result.
- Predict what INDEX, FIRST, LAST and SIZE return for a given row of a partition.
- Customize a table calculation: Compute Using options, Specific Dimensions, addressing versus partitioning, and Restarting every.
- Running totals, differences, percent of total, moving and window averages and the Quick Table Calculation menu are taught in Running totals, differences and moving window calculations.

Key terms:
- **Partition:** the group of marks a table calculation runs inside; it restarts for each one.
- **Partitioning fields:** dimensions that define the scope of each calculation.
- **Addressing fields:** dimensions the calculation moves along, which set its direction.
- **Competition rank:** ties share a rank and leave a gap after them.
- **Percentile rank:** a 0-to-1 position in the partition rather than a whole number.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| RANK default order | Descending; optional 'asc' or 'desc' argument | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| RANK_PERCENTILE default order | Ascending: smallest 0.00, largest 1.00 | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| RANK_DENSE | Ties share a rank, no gaps | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| RANK_UNIQUE | Identical values get different ranks | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| Nulls in ranking | Ignored, not numbered, not counted in percentile totals | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| INDEX() | Position from 1, no sorting by value | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| FIRST() and LAST() | FIRST() is a negative offset to the first row; LAST() counts rows to the last row | [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm) |
| Rank table calculation default | Descending | [Table Calculation Types](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations_definebasic_runningtotal.htm) |
| Level of detail dimensions | Each is used for partitioning or addressing | [Transform Values with Table Calculations](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations.htm) |
| Specific Dimensions | Checked = addressing, unchecked = partitioning | [Transform Values with Table Calculations](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations.htm) |
| Restarting every | Needs Specific Dimensions and two or more addressing fields; default None | [Table Calculation Types](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations_definebasic_runningtotal.htm) |
| Filtered-out data | Not considered by table calculations | [Transform Values with Table Calculations](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations.htm) |

## Check yourself

- What does SIZE() return, and does it change from row to row?
- With several dimensions checked under Specific Dimensions, what sets the direction of the calculation?
- When is Restarting every available in the Table Calculation dialog?
- Why might a Rank added from the Quick Table Calculation menu still need editing?

## Sources

- [Table Calculation Functions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/functions_functions_tablecalculation.htm)
- [Table Calculation Types](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations_definebasic_runningtotal.htm)
- [Transform Values with Table Calculations](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations.htm)
- [Quick Table Calculations](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_tablecalculations_quick.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 7 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Data Analyst pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams