Explanation
This formula uses the FILTER function to retrieve data based on a logical test constructed with the LARGE function.
The LARGE function is a simple way to get the nth largest value in a range. Simply provide a range for the first argument ( array ), and a value for n as the second argument ( k ):
=LARGE(range,1) // 1st largest
=LARGE(range,2) // 2nd largest
=LARGE(range,3) // 3rd largest
In this example, the logic for FILTER is constructed with this snippet:
score>=LARGE(score,3)
which returns TRUE when a score is greater than or equal to the 3rd highest score. Since there are 12 cells in the range D5:D16, this expression returns an array of 12 TRUE and FALSE values in an array like this:
{FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE}
This array is returned directly to the FILTER function as the include argument, where it is used to filter the data. Only rows where the result is TRUE make it into the final output. The result from the formula in F5 includes the 3 top scores in the data, which spill into the range F5:H7.
Sort results by score
By default, FILTER will return matching records in the same order they appear in the source data. To sort results in descending order by score , you can nest the original FILTER formula inside the SORT function like this:
=SORT(FILTER(data,score>=LARGE(score,3)),3,-1)
Here, FILTER returns results directly to the SORT function as the array argument. sort_index is set to 3 (score) and sort_order is set to -1, for descending order.
Explanation
This formula uses the FILTER function to retrieve data based on a logical test constructed with the LARGE and IF functions. The result is the top 3 scores in group B.
The FILTER function applies criteria with the include argument. In this example, criteria are constructed with boolean logic like this:
(score>=LARGE(IF(group="b",score),3))*(group="b")
The left side of the expression targets scores greater than or equal to the 3rd highest score in group B:
score>=LARGE(IF(group="b",score),3)
The IF function is used to make sure LARGE is only working with group B scores. Because we have 12 scores total, IF returns an array with 12 results like this:
{FALSE;65;FALSE;80;FALSE;88;FALSE;76;FALSE;86;FALSE;83}
Notice the only scores that survive the operation are from Group B. All other scores are FALSE. This array is returned directly to LARGE as the array argument:
LARGE({FALSE;65;FALSE;80;FALSE;88;FALSE;76;FALSE;86;FALSE;83},3)
LARGE ignores the FALSE values and returns the 3rd highest score, 83.
We can now simplify the formula to:
=FILTER(data,(score>=83)*(group="b"))
which resolves to:
=FILTER(data,{0;0;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;1;0;1})
Finally, FILTER returns records for Mason, Annie, and Cassidy, which spill into the range F5:H7.
Sort results by score
By default, FILTER will return matching records in the same order they appear in the source data. To sort results in descending order by score , you can nest the original FILTER formula inside the SORT function like this:
=SORT(FILTER(data,(score>=LARGE(IF(group="b",score),3))*(group="b")),3,-1)
Here, FILTER returns results directly to the SORT function as the array argument. Sort_index is set to 3 (score) and sort_order is set to -1, for descending order.
