Numbers Quick Start

Beginning at the beginning is not always what a reader needs. Here are some areas that you might want to check out first.

Get started:

• If you’re a novice, jump to the last chapter, Numbers Tutorial, to get hands-on experience with many Numbers basics.

• Read in-depth coverage of Numbers’ basics in Understand the Terminology and Interface, Sheets and Templates, Table States, and Cell Basics.
• If you’re new to spreadsheets in general, also check the Anatomy of a Table, Cell Referencing 101, and Data Entry Basics.
• If you’re new to Numbers, but comfortable with spreadsheets, you’ll also find these topics especially helpful: Sheet-handling Basics, the Template Chooser, and Pop-up and Contextual Table Menus.

Work more efficiently:

• Speed data entry with Autocomplete and Autofill, and Special Data-input Formats such as Checkboxes, Star Ratings, Pop-up Menus, and Sliders and Steppers.
• Keep your frequently used table setups instantly available with Built-in and Custom Templates.
• If you use text boxes to label sheet items, you can avoid repeatedly formatting them when you Define a Default Text Box.

Formulas and functions:

• Enter common formulas quickly by using the Function Button or tokens from the Quick Calculations Bar.
• If you’re new(ish) to spreadsheets, read Formula-building Basics, Cell References, and Functions and Arguments.
• Learn about The Formula Editor and The Function Browser.
• If you know basic formula and function usage, and want to deepen your knowledge, read Nested Functions, IF Statements and Logical Operators, Nested IF Statements, and More Functions.

When looks matter:

• A table can look both businesslike and friendly when you know your formatting options. See Table-wide Formats, Basic Cell Formats, Standard Data Formats, and Custom Data Formats.
• Standardize the look of components in tables and sheets with styles. Read Table Styles, Paragraph and Character Styles, List Styles, About Chart Styles, and even Shape Styles.
• Keep things shipshape on a sheet by using Rulers and Ruler Guides and Alignment Guides. Also read Work in the Arrange Pane.
• Add graphical elements to a sheet with Getting in Shapes, and free-standing labels using text boxes, as described in Tackling Text.
• Use Color Controls for everything from text to cell borders to shapes.

Visualize data with charts:

• Get the basics in Chart Parts and Terminology and Choosing the Right Chart, and then move on to Creating a Chart.
• Try the special chart options: 3D Charts and Interactive Charts.

Work with other people:

• Learn to insert and work with comments in Adding Comments.
• Other people can view your sheet or work in it collaboratively, if you Share with iCloud.