SQL Question - Identifying unique rows based on criteria

[CellarDoor]

All,

I have a fairly basic knowledge of SQL so forgive me if I butcher some terminology. Note that this is not a homework problem but something I'm working on for work.

I pull data into excel using SQL. Up until now, I've performed excel calculations on the table using adjacent columns. I've learned a little more about SQL and have done most of the calculations in the query instead producing faster results. Here's my issue.

Suppose my data consists of the following columns:

Name, Project, Account, Org, Pay Type, Amount.

I would like to create a calculated column that identifies the first time a unique combination of Name, Project, Account, Org and Pay Type occurs.

So, for example, I'd like my result to look something like this:

Name Project Account Org Pay Type Amount Unique
Mike 04C5 50 99 R 25 1
Mike 04C5 50 99 R 40
Jake 04C5 50 99 R 30 2

apologies on the formatting of the above table. The idea is that the second row isn't a unique record based on my criteria whereas the third is, because it is the first record for "Jake."

Does this make sense? Is it possible? I only have the rights to select data.

If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great. Let me know if more information is required. Thank you.

 

[BoberFett]

GROUP BY and it's associated aggregate functions. Learn them. Love them.

 

[KLin]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms186734.aspx

 

[CellarDoor]

Thanks guys. I was able to get a solution that worked for me using dense_rank().

Appreciate the help!