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TUTORIAL

SQL Nested Window Functions

The Nested Case Expression: Unlimited Possibilities

Boris J · Follow
Published in Towards Data Science
7 min read · Apr 26, 2021

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Karl Fredrickson, Unsplash

Do not define the parameters of my universe by the limits on your own. — Anonymous
A sunset is beautiful and daunting. Whenever I see it, I realize I am limited only by
perspective and vision. Beyond those limitations is a world of infinite possibilities.
In that world, I am free. I am free to imagine, to hope and to dream. I am free to
chart a course toward unknown destinations of imagination and creativity. I am
neither constrained by age, background, gender or race. My mind is the canvas and
ideas the raw materials. So, it is with SQL Window functions. Only limited
perspective and vision hinders their creative usage.

To push pass self-imposed limitations, I encourage imagination and

experimentation. In this advanced tutorial, I crack the door to deeper learning by
adding the CASE Expression into SQL Window functions. As an advanced topic, I
cover the basics to the extent they inform learning. If you need a primer on SQL
Window functions, I suggest an earlier article I wrote, SQL Window Functions, A
Love Hate Relationship.

SQL Window Functions

A Love Hate Relationship
towardsdatascience.com

The Basics
We can use the CASE Expression in any statement or clause that allows a valid
expression. For example, you can use CASE Expression in statements such as
SELECT , UPDATE , DELETE , SET and in clauses such as PARTITION BY , ORDER BY , WHERE

and HAVING . Harnessing the power of the CASE Expression statement and SQL
Window function starts with the syntax. We can enclose the CASE Expression in the
Window_Function() as shown in the image below.
 Syntax, Window Function & CASE Expression

When working with window functions, it is important to keep in mind processing

order matters. The OVER() clause executes first, followed by PARTITION BY , ORDER

BY and Window_Function() . The ORDER BY clause determines how the

Window_Function applies calculations, AVG(), SUM(), MAX() or CASE Expression logic,
to the rows in the PARTITION BY clause. The CASE Expression goes through the
conditions and returns a single value when the first condition evaluates to true. So,
once a condition is true, it will stop reading and return the result. If no conditions
are true, it returns the value in the ELSE clause.

Getting Started
It is important to know there are different implementations of SQL Window
functions across database platforms such as Oracle, SQL Lite, SQL Server, MySQL,
Postgres, and Redshift. The number and support for the CASE Expression in the
Window_Function() function may vary across each platform. The table below shows
if Window_Function(), PARTITION BY or ORDER BY clause supports the CASE Expression

syntax. The table does not include all the SQL Window functions. However, I’ve
listed some of the more common ones you are likely to encounter.
 SQL Window Functions, T-SQL

While the table is a great reference, a quicker and easier way to determine if your
database platform supports the case statement is to use case when 1 = 1 then 1 else

0 end in the Window_Function as shown in the image below.

Window Function, CASE Expression Test

When testing, I suggest testing each part of the syntax separately to determine if the
SQL platform supports the function. If the query executes, the window Sign
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function
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supports the CASE Expression .

While it is possible to use the CASE Expression in the PARTITION BY clause, I’ve rarely
used it on projects. So, I don’t cover it in this tutorial. With that said, I’ll quickly add,
don’t let that limit you from exploring it. You may find multiple instances where it’s
useful. So, continue to be creative and push the limits of the possible. It the rest of
the tutorial, we’ll look at how to use Case Expression with the Window_Function() and
ORDER BY clause.

Our Data
The data in our fictitious example comprises store revenue data in each state. The
aim is to add three additional metrics, Adjusted Revenue, New Store Revenue and
State Revenue using the SUM() window function along with the CASE Expression . We
want to measure the impact of no sales tax or new store opening has on revenue for
a company in a state. We can write individual queries to get the answer, but the
nested CASE Expression is the most efficient. By the end of the tutorial, you will see
how to add metrics with minor modifications to the CASE Expression .

With that said, lets dig into the code shown below in the SQL Server text editor. For
Adjusted Revenue, when the CASE Expression executes and the record does not have
sales tax, Sales_Tax = NO , the revenue is 95% of Projected Revenue.

With New Store Revenue, when the CASE Expression executes, and the record is a
new store, New_Store = 'YES' , we calculate the revenue. Otherwise, the case
statement returns a value of zero. With State Revenue, when the CASE Expression

executes and the record does not have sales tax, Sales_Tax = NO , the revenue is 95%
of Projected Revenue.

I could have continued to create additional metrics by making modifications to the

CASE Expression . Last, the Case Support column uses case when 1 = 1 then 1 else 0

end to test if the Max() window function supports CASE Expression in SQL Server.
Successful query execution means the CASE Expression is supported. Don’t worry
about the value that populates Case Support column. The goal is just to make sure
the query statement runs.

ORDER BY: Our Scenario

The ORDER BY clause is a hidden super power in the Window_Function() . Her
common usage belies her genuine beauty and elegance. Understanding and
mastering her finer points will open the door to a new level of problem solving.
Let’s look at an example to help explain what I mean.

The data in our scenario comprises the estimated value of deals of computer sales
for a computer manufacturer. Each year in December, the division sales leader
attempts to increase revenue by closing deals with an OPEN_DATE . Based on
experience, she knows business deals with an OPEN_DATE date in June are more
valuable than in other months. So, she sends a request to her data team for a list
that prioritizes June deals at the top in each state. When she receives the list, she
will distribute it to the regional sales manager in each state. The data analyst
completes the request using the SQL logic shown below.
Explanation: The data analyst uses the DENSE_RANK() function to create the priority
list in each region. The OVER() clause creates the execution space. The PARTITION BY

clause groups the State data into distinct groups. The CASE Expression returns a 1

if the record has a date between 6/1/2017 and 6/30/2017 and the ELSE returns a 0

outside of those dates. The DESC sorts the CASE expression result set in a
descending order from 1 to 0. The DESC sorts the Estimated_Value for highest to the
lowest. The result is a priority column with deals with an OPEN_DATE in June ranked
at the top in estimated value based on the ORDER BY sort.

A Key: Take Your Time

One key to effectively using a Window_Function() and CASE Expression is taking the
time to know your dataset. That means exporting sample data to a spreadsheet. You
can make notes or model the expected results when the Window_Function() executes
the CASE Expression . The combination of a Window_Function() and CASE Expression

offer a lot of power, so it’s easy to crash and burn if mishandled. You can spend
hours trying to make sense of results that would have been spotted in a
spreadsheet. Mostly when I’ve made mistakes, it’s because I skipped this step.

I have done some amazing projects using Case Expressions and Window_Functions() .

This tutorial scratches the surface of a world of infinite creative coding possibilities.
I hope the information helps you to explore and creatively solve complex problems.
Continue to grow and push the limits of what’s possible with CASE Expressions and
Window_Functions() .

Shared Inspiration: With each key stroke and lesson shared, I am reminded of my 8th
grade English and Typing teacher Ms. Reeves at Vanguard Jr. High. She helped an
awkward little boy believe he could be more than he thought possible with a generous
portion of discipline, kindness and love. Keep sharing and inspiring others to be greater
than they could have imagined.

Window Functions Case Expressions Sql Nested

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Written by Boris J
125 Followers · Writer for Towards Data Science

Boris (borisj.com) is a Data Engineer. Wanna work together? Email me at: [email protected]

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