Order numbers from smallest to largest

[Eric E]

I have a list of random numbers in column A, in column B I would like the
number 1 to show up next to the lowest number in column A. I can't use sort
because each random number is in a group of 3 rows that I need to keep
together. I am looking for something like this, A containing the random
number, B containing the order of the numbers in column A.

A B
1 16 3
2 8 1
3 52 5
4 12 2
5 19 4

Does anyone even know if this is even possible?

 

[Eric E]

Actually, this might look better

A...... B
16.....3
8...... 1
52..... 5
12..... 2
19..... 4

 

[Dave Peterson]

Take a look at =rank() in excel's help.

Actually, this might look better

A...... B
16.....3
8...... 1
52..... 5
12..... 2
19..... 4

 

[Gary''s Student]

In B1 enter:

=RANK(A1,A$1:A$5,1) and copy down

 

[מיכ×ל (מיקי) ×בידן]

How does this look ?
In cell B1:
=COUNT(A$1:A$5)-(RANK(A1,A$1:A$5)+COUNTIF(A$1:A1,A1))+2
and copy down till B5
Micky

 

[Eric E]

Absolutely perfect. Thanks Gary's Student and Mickey. I kept looking for
something under sort, Rank never even came to mind.

 

[מיכ×ל (מיקי) ×בידן]

Please remember that in case of one, or more, duplicates(!) values in your
range of data - the "simple" RANK function will not be good enough.
For example - this is what the simple formula will return:
## Rank
16 2
8 1
52 5
16 2
19 4
So..., There is NO "3rd. place"

My suggestion takes care of such cases and will return:
3
1
5
2
4