Excel allows a user to get a rank based on the multiple criteria using COUNTIFS function. This step by step tutorial will assist all levels of Excel users in ranking data with several criteria.
Figure 1. Rank with criteria using COUNTIFS function
Syntax of the COUNTIFS Formula
The generic formula for the COUNTIFS function is:
=COUNTIFS(criteria_range1, criteria1, criteria_range2, criteria2, ... )
The parameters of the COUNTIFS function are:
- criteria_range1, criteria_range2 – ranges where we want to apply our criteria
- criteria1, criteria2 – a criteria in criteria ranges which we want to count.
Setting up Our Data to Rank with Criteria
Figure 2. Data that we will use in the example
In the data table, we have 4 columns: “Salesman” (column B), “Store” (column C), “Sales” (column D) and “Rank” (column E). The idea is to rank salesmen per store and sales values and to place the result in column E.
Rank Salesmen per Store and Sales Values
In our example, we want to rank salesmen per store and sales values using COUNTIFS function. In order to make the formula more clear we will create two named ranges, Store for the cell range C3:C10 and Sales for the cell range D3:D10.
To create a named range we should follow the steps:
- Select the cell range that should be named
- Click on the name box in Excel
- Write the name for the cell range and press enter
Figure 3. Creating a named range Store for the COUNTIFS function
Figure 4. Creating a named range Sales for the COUNTIFS function
The formula looks like:
=COUNTIFS(Store,C3,Sales,">"&D3)+1
The parameter criteria_range1 is named range Store and the criteria1 is in the cell C3. The parameter criteria_range2 is the named range Sales and the criteria2 is “>”&D3. On COUNTIFS formula result we should add number one.
To apply the function, we need to follow these steps:
- Select cell E3 and click on it
- Insert the formula:
=COUNTIFS(Store,C3,Sales,">"&D3)+1 - Press enter
- Drag the formula down to the other cells in the column by clicking and dragging the little “+” icon at the bottom-right of the cell.
Figure 5. Get the rank with criteria using COUNTIFS function
The first criteria in the COUNTIFS function is checking if the salesman belongs to the Store A or the Store B. The second condition is counting the number of the sales values that are greater than the value in the cell D3 for the Store A.
COUNTIFS formula output is the number 1 because there is one value for Store A that is greater than value $19,005. To get the salesman rank we should add number 1 to the COUNTIFS formula result.
Most of the time, the problem you will need to solve will be more complex than a simple application of a formula or function. If you want to save hours of research and frustration, try our live Excelchat service! Our Excel Experts are available 24/7 to answer any Excel question you may have. We guarantee a connection within 30 seconds and a customized solution within 20 minutes.
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