MacMost: Numbers

If you have names, product IDs or some other words and need to translate those to number values you can do it with the IF, IFS, SWITCH or LOOKUP functions in Numbers. While the first functions are good for small limited lists of values, only the LOOKUP function works well with a large list that changes often.

Numbers comes with a variety of useful templates. You can use these in your daily life, or dissect them to learn how they work and learn some spreadsheet skills.

You can autofill cells in Numbers using copy and paste, a special autofill feature, and by simply adding new rows to a well-formed table. With the autofill feature, you can have values increase by 1, or using a pattern.

Learn how to calculate dates like the first or last day of a month, the first or last day-of-week of a month, or the nth day-of-week of a month.

You can use Conditional Highlighting in Numbers to make values stand out. You can also use alternatives like formulas in other columns or custom formats. Also learn how to have cells highlight based on the value of a different cell.

If Pivot Tables in Numbers seem intimidating, watch this tutorial to see how easy they are to use. You can get a lot of information without ever needing to using functions or formulas.

You can easily create a simple labels template to print a list of addresses to labels in Pages. The list can come from text or a Number spreadsheet. You can also modify pre-made labels templates to work better.

If you need to find the ranking of rows in Numbers, you can sort, use COUNTIF or use RANK. It gets a little more complex if you have to use multiple values for tie-breakers or rank within groups.

Learn how to get random numbers on your Mac using the Calculator app, the Numbers app, Siri, the Terminal and a custom Shortcut.

You can get the sum, average and perform other calculations on selected cells without needing to create a formula in another cell. The Quick Calculations appear at the bottom of the Numbers window whenever you have more than one cell selected. They also can be dragged-and-dropped to create permanent formulas and will obey filters.

A new action in Shortcuts for Mac allows you to add a row of data to a Numbers spreadsheet. You can prompt for information and then record a time and some data. Numbers version 12 is required. An older technique allows you to change existing data in a Numbers spreadsheet.

Creating good spreadsheets isn't just about getting the formulas right. By adding some text and design elements you can make it clear to someone else, or yourself in the future, what to do to use the spreadsheet and understand how it works.

Learn the basics of using formulas to perform calculations in the Numbers spreadsheet app. You can perform basic arithmetic, copy and paste formulas to multiple rows, and use functions to get the sum of a column.

You can track things like cryptocurrencies, metals, commodities, market funds and other things in the macOS Stocks app and in Numbers. The trick is to realize that the values come from Yahoo Finance and to use the same symbols.

Dates, times and duration values behave differently in Numbers and other spreadsheet apps than other values. Learn what makes up time and duration values and how to use them in formulas and functions.

Here's how to compare two tables to see which rows are missing from one or the other. You can also compare two tables using multiple columns. Conditional highlighting can show you which rows don't match.

If you have a list of items you need to sort, you can do it using what you have on your Mac or some free apps. Learn how to sort in Pages, Numbers, the Terminal, VIM, CotEditor and using a Shortcut.

Learn how to test and manipulate text in cells in Mac Numbers. You can search for characters, replace them, grab parts of text and more.

Sometimes it is useful to have bar charts where each bar is placed at a spot on a map or graphic. You can do that in Numbers, even though there is no special chart type for it. You just need to get creative.

Numbers version 11.2 adds the ability to filter by unique values, fin duplicates and distinct values. Quick filters are also improved with a more comprehensive checkbox system. Learn how to search for duplicates that include several columns with a function.