OPEN THE NUMBERS APPLICATION

1. Click the Numbers icon on the dock

or, in the Finder sidebar

1. Click "Macintosh HD"
2. Select the Applications folder
3. Navigate to the "Numbers.app", and double-click it.

Result:  The application opens.

4. Click the "New Document" button.

If Numbers opens to an existing Workbook,

1. Press and hold the  command  key (⌘), then press the N key.

Result:  You are prompted to Choose a Template.

From the Recents or Basic section of the Template Chooser,

2. Select the Blank template, and press the  return/enter  key (or click the Create button).

Result:  An “Untitled” Workbook opens, containing the default number of Worksheets ( "Sheet 1", "Sheet 2", etc.).

Each Worksheet contains a Table with the default number of Columns and Rows, and a default Title (i.e., "Table 1"). Only one Worksheet is visible at a time.

Down the right edge of the Worksheet is the Format pane. The Format pane provides access to Worksheet “properties” - attributes like color or size - that determine the appearance of a Table. If you don't see the Format pane, open it by clicking the Format button at the right edge of the title bar at the top of the application window.

Above the Format pane are four tabs: Table, Cell, Text, and Arrange. By default, the Table tab should be selected (surrounded by a green background). If not, click it.

SELECT THE WORKSPACE (Sheet)

1. Click anywhere on the area surrounding the Table, to make the Sheet itself the "active object".

Result:  The Format pane changes, providing access to the Sheet properties.

FORMAT THE WORKSPACE (Sheet)

The Sheet properties pane consists of three sections: Sheet Name, Background, and a pair of buttons labelled "Duplicate Sheet" and "Delete Sheet".

Sheet Name

1. Click inside the text box in the Sheet Name section, and drag across the default sheet name (“Sheet 1”).

Result:  A light brown background appears behind the text, and a thick green border surrounds the text box, indicating that it has been selected for editing.

2. Press the  caps lock  key.
3. Type “SUMMARY”
4. Press the  caps lock  key again (to release it), then press  return/enter .

Result:  Your entry appears in the Sheet Tab, above the Workspace (Sheet).

note:  If Numbers won’t accept your entry, it’s because you already have a Worksheet with that name.

Background

Below the Sheet Name section, in the Background section,

5. Click the color wheel to the right of the white rectangle.

Result:  The Sheet Color dialog box opens.

Near the top of the Sheet Color dialog box,

6. Hover your cursor for a few seconds over the second icon from the left.

Result:  A "Tool Tip" appears, explaining what the button does.

7. Click the button.

Result:  "RGB Sliders” is displayed in the selection menu immediatey below the row of icons.

Below the selection box are slider controls for dialing in the color property. By default, they are set to their maximum values (255), which produce the color "white". Using your cursor, drag one of the slider bars to the left, and note the change.

Result:  The Sheet Color changes, as does and the value in the "Hex Color #" text box below the slider controls. Note: "RGB" and "Hex Color #" are different formats for describing colors.

Just below the middle of the Sheet Color dialog box,

8. Click (or click-drag across) the value in the “Hex Color #” text box, to select it for editing.

Result:  A light brown background behind the value, and a thick green border around the text box indicate it is ready to accept your entry.

9. Type “dcdcdc”, and press the return/enter key.

Result:  The white Cells in the Table, and the white Workspace surrounding the Table change to light grey.

10. Close the Sheet Color dialog box by clicking the red button at its top left corner.

Click anywhere inside the table to make it the "active object".

Result:  The Format pane changes in appearance; a thin green border surrounds the selected Cell, and panels on the white Column Letter and Row Number guides, above and to the left of the Table, turn light green behind the Letter and Number that identify the selected Cell.

SELECT THE ENTIRE TABLE

1. Click on the "circle within a circle" (circumscribed circle) at the intersection of the Column Letter and Row Number guides (top, left corner of the Workspace).

Result:  Small, empty squares appear at the center of the Table's right and bottom borders, and at its bottom-right corner; indications that the Entire Table has been selected.

FORMAT THE TABLE

Numbers has both a Table menu and a Table tab. The Table menu is on a menu bar that drops down from the top of the screen when you position your cursor there; the Table tab resides atop the Format pane.

If not already selected,

1. Click the Table tab.

Result:  A rectangular, green, rounded-corner background surrounds the selected tab.

The Table Tab

Table Options

Locate the Table Options section, immediately below the Table Styles section. Depending on your screen resolution (size), you may need to scroll up to see it.

In the Table Options section, the Title property should be “checked” by default. If not,

2. Click the empty box to the left of the word “Title”.

Result:  A check mark appears there.

Headers & Footer

Below the Table Options section is the Headers & Footer section, containing three selection boxes. At the right side of each selection box is a green button containing an “up-down” caret. If ever in doubt about what a feature does, hover your cursor over it for a few seconds, and a Tool Tip will appear.

Note the thin black border between Column "A" and Column "B"" on the Table.

In the Headers & Footer section,

3. Click the green button (“up-down” caret) on the selection box on the left, and choose "0" from the drop-down menu.

Result:  The number of Header Columns is set to “0”, and the thin black border between Columns "A" and "B" disappears.

4. Click the green button (“up-down” caret) on the selection box in the middle, and select "0" from the drop-down menu.

Result:  The Table's appearance changes, and the number of Header Rows is set to “0”.

The number of Footer  Rows should be set to “0” by default. if not, please set it to “0” using the same method.

Rows and Columns

Below the Headers & Footer section is a section where you set the number of Rows and Columns. The section contains two text boxes, each of which has to its immediate right an "up" caret above a "down" caret.

5. Double-click inside the text box to the right of the Rows label, to select its value for editing.
6. Type "5".

Columns

7. Double-click inside the text box to the right of the Columns label, to select its value for editing.

Result:  The Table changes shape - per your entry in step 6.

8. Type "4", and press the return/enter key.

Result:  The Table changes shape.

Enlarge The View

At the top-left corner of the Numbers window, below the red, yellow, and green buttons, is a selection box above a "Zoom"label.

9. From the drop-down menu, select "200%".

Result:  The view is enlarged.

Table Font Size

Below this section, is the Table Font Size section, containing two buttons; one that  decreases , and another that  increases , Font Size. We won't change the  default  font size, but will revisit this section in a later exercise when formatting individual Cells.

Table Outline

Below the Table Font Size section is the Table Outline section. Here one may govern the appearance of an Outline for the Table.

Table "Outline" differs from Table "Border". "Outline" surrounds the Table and its Title; "Border" surrounds the Table only.

Gridlines

Below the Table Outline section, is the Gridlines section. Gridlines make it easier to select a cell location, so we'll leave them in place during Table construction.

Alternating Row Color

Below the Gridlines section, is the Alternating Row Color section. An example of Alternating Row Color can be seen in the Comprehensive Index of Expenses, covered in Chapter ?, and listed in Appendix B.

Row & Column Size

Below the Alternating Row Color section, is the Row & Column Size section. Depending on your screen size (resolution), you may need to scroll down to see it. Here one can set Row Height and Column Width, or "Fit" the size to the content.

As you may have noticed, all these features generate Tool Tips when the cursor hovers over them.

The Cell Tab

The Cell tab exposes four sets of properties for your editing pleasure: Data Format, Fill, Border, and Conditional Highlighting.

10. Click the Cell tab above the Format pane.

Result:  A rectangular, green, rounded-corner background surrounds the selected tab.

Data Format

The Data Format section contains a single drop-down menu - a selection from which exposes a set of relevant properties.

With the entire Table still selected,

11. Click the green button on the drop-down menu, and select "Number" from the list.

Result:  Properties related to number formatting are made available. "Decimals: ", "negative display" style, and a "Thousands Separator" check box, which toggles that feature on/off.

12. Double-click the value in the "Decimals:" text box.

Result:  A light-brown background highlights the value ("Auto"), and a thick green border surrounds the text box.

13. Type "2".
14. Click inside the "check box next to "Thousands Separator".

Result:  A check mark appears there; numbers in the table will display with a comma separator.

Fill

Below the Data Format section, is the Fill section. Here you may adjust the fill color - the hue inside the Cells.

Border

Below the Fill section is the Border section, which contains five controls. We will return to this section in Exercise Three.

Conditional Highlighting

Below the Border section, is the Conditional Highlighting section, containing a single button. Note the elipsis on the button; an elipsis means a click of the button produces more options. We will examine Conditional Highlighting later in this exercise, when formatting individual Cells.

15. Click the Text tab above the Format pane.

The Text Tab

The Text tab is divided into two sub-headings: Style and Layout.

Style

The Style button opens four formatting areas: Font, Text Color, an alignment section, and Spacing.

Font

The Font section offers six controls:

• two selection boxes with green buttons on them,
• a Font Size text box,
• a row of styling buttons,
• a button bearing a "gear" icon,
• and a Character Styles menu (currently greyed-out)

If the text is too small for you to read comfortably, reset the default in Numbers preferences, under the Apple menu, so that every time application opens, it opens with the Font Size you prefer.

Text Color

Below the Font section is the Text Color section, where you can - you guessed it - adjust text color. For most of the Table, the default color (black) will be fine. When we get around to formatting individual Cells, we'll revisit to this section.

Alignment

Below the Text Color section is an area for adjusting alignment. By default, text is left-justified; numbers are right-justified. In most cases, the default Style settings work best. Individual settings may be changed here or there, when formatting individual Cells.

The TOP row of buttons:

aligns text to the left, center, or right

aligns text to the left and right, or

aligns text left, and numbers right;

The MIDDLE row of buttons:

adjusts the indent;

The BOTTOM row of buttons aligns text vertically:

to the top, middle, or bottom of the cell.

Below the bottom row of buttons is a check box. Clicking on it toggles the "Wrap text in cell" feature on / off.

Spacing

Below the alignment controls is the Spacing section. Properties here determine how paragraphs are presented.

Layout

The Layout button exposes properties that control the appearance of paragraphs, but can also make your tables more attractive.

The ARRANGE TAB is .

Z-index

"Z-index" refers to the "layering" of objects, one in front of (or behind) another

Position

The Position section lets you set the x- y- coordinates of a Table.

The x- coordinate refers to the distance from the left edge of the Workspace; the y- index refers to the distance from the top of the Workspace.

For example, the top left corner of a Table "positioned" at x="0.0", y="4.0", would be four inches below the top left corner of a table "positioned" at x="0.0", y="0.0". If the upper Table were three inches tall, the lower table would be directly beneath it, with one inch of space between.

On the other hand, if the upper Table were five inches tall, the "Z-index" would determine which table "appeared to be" in front of the other.

Protection

"Protection" refers to locking a table so that it may not be edited inadvertently. Table Cells containing formulas or labels should be locked. Regrettably, Numbers does not offer that capability. There is a work-around; whether it is worth the effort depends on the table and user.

If you want to protect a Table from unauthorized access, you will need to "password protect" the workbook, and share the password only with people you can trust. Anyone who gains access to the Table could unlock it, then alter it.

ENTER DATA

1. Click the Cell at the intersection of Column "B" and Row "2" [Cell (B2)]

Result:  A thin green border surrounds the selected Cell.

2. Type "Income" and press the  tab  key.

Result:  Numbers accepts your entry, and the active Cell moves one Column to the right.

3. Type "1234" and press the  return/enter  key.

Result:  Numbers accepts your entry appears, applying the formats you specified in steps 14 and 15, and the active Cell moves down one Row, and back the Column in which you pressed the tab key.

4. Type "Expenses" and press the  tab  key.
5. Type "1234.5" and press the  return/enter  key.
6. Type "Bottom Line" and press the  tab  key.

ENTER A FORMULA

1. Type an equal sign ("=").

Result:  A formula entry bar appears, with a flashing cursor in it.

2. Select Cell (C2).

Result:  A reference to the Cell you clicked is entered into the formula entry bar.

3. Type a minus sign ("-").
4. Select Cell (C3).

Result:  A reference to your selection is entered into the formula entry bar.

5. Click the check mark in the green circle at the right of the formula entry bar.

Result:  The formula is accepted and entered into the Cell; the Cell displays the result of the formula it contains.

CONDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTING

The CELL TAB.

1. Click the Cell tab above the Format pane.
2. Click the "Conditional Highlighting..." button, below the Border section.
3. Click the "Add a Rule" button.

If not already selected,

4. Select "123 Number", from the menu on the left.
5. Select "Less than a number" from the menu on the right.
6. Type "0".
7. Click the down-pointing caret on the "Red Fill" menu at the bottom.

Result:  A list appears.

8. Scroll down to the last menu selection, "Custom Style", and click it.

Result:  A row of typeface buttons, and two color-selection boxes appear; note: the label on the "Red Fill" selection box now reads "Custom Style".

Below the row of typeface buttons,

9. Click the color selection box (black rectangle) to the right of the row of typeface buttons.

Result:  A Color Palette appears.

10. Select the darkest red rectangle (second column from the right) from the Color Palette.

Result:  The Color Palette closes, and the color selection box to the right of the row of typeface buttons changes to display the color you selected.

11. Click the color wheel button on the selection box labelled "Color Fill" (immediately below the one to the right of the row of typeface buttons).

Result:  The Color Fill dialog box appears.

12. Click on the value in the "Hex Color #" text box.
13. Type "dcdcdc" (the color you assigned to the Worksheet background), and press  return/enter .
14. Close the Text Color dialog box.
15. Click the  up arrow  key.

Result:  The active Cell moves up one row.

FORMAT SELECTIONS

Throughout this exercise, we have been applying formats to the Table as a whole. Now we turn our attention to subsections (Ranges) and individual elements.

Text

1. Click the  up arrow  key.

Result:  The active Cell moves up one row.

2. Click the Text tab atop the Format pane.

Result:  The Format pane changes.

In the Text Color section,

3. Click on the color selection box, and select the darkest red rectangle from the Color Palette.

Result:  The number in the selected Cell changes color.

4. Click the  up arrow  key.

Result:  The active Cell moves up one row.

5. Click on the Text Color selection box, and select the darkest green from the Color Palette.

Result:  The number in the selected Cell changes color.

Columns

1. Click the "B" on the Column Letter Guide above the Table.

Result:  The white panel on the Guide turns green, and a thin green border surrounds the entire column, idicating that it is the active selection.

In the Row & Column Size section of the Format pane - you may need to scroll down to see it,

2. Double-click on the Width property text box to select its value for editing.

Note: A light brown background behind the value, and a thick green border around the text box, indicate that it will accept your entry.

3. Type "1", and press the  return/enter  key.

Result:  The Column Width changes.

4. Select Column "C", in a similar fashion.
5. Type ".8", and press  return/enter .

Result:  The Column Width changes.

Non-adjacent Rows

1. Select Row "1".
2. Press and hold the  command key  (⌘).

While holding down the command key,

3. Select Row "4".

Result:  White panels on the Row Number Guide turn green behind the selected Row Numbers, and a thin green border surrounds both Rows, indicating that they constitute the active selection.

4. Click on the value in the Height text box.
5. Type ".17", and press  return/enter .

Result:  The height of both Rows changes.

Non-adjacent Columns

1. Select non-adjacent Columns "A" and "D" (A-⌘-D).

Result:  Changes in the Column Letter Guide, and a thin green border around both Columns identify the active selection.

2. Select the value in the Width text box.
3. Type ".17", and press  return/enter .

Result:  The width of both Columns changes.

4. Congratulate your bad self!!

    🎉      🎊      📣      🎡      🎁       🧸       🎢       🧨      🎠      🏆      🤸      💐

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Now, maybe it's just me, but I always like to make a Table easier to read, if possible.

Although gridlines help define a space, once a spreadsheet is set up, I don’t think they serve any purpose other than to detract.

DE-CLUTTER

1. Select the entire Table (hint: circle within a circle).

Result:  Small squares appear.

In the Gridlines section, near the bottom of the Format pane,

2. Deselect the two green boxes on the left.

Result:  The gridlines are hidden.

NAME A TABLE

1. Locate the default title (“Table 1”), above the Table on the Worksheet.
2. Triple-click it rapidly to select it for editing.
3. Type “Income 1”, and press  return/enter .

Note: If Numbers won't accept your entry, it’s because you already have a Table Title by that name.

You’ll want to save your work.

SAVE YOUR WORK

From the File menu at the top of the screen,

1. Choose Save. [File Save] (or, while holding down the command key, press the S key (⌘-S). Wait a few seconds.

result:  A Save dialog appears, with the default name (“Untitled”) highlighted.

Depending on how your version of Numbers is configured, the file extension (".numbers") may be appended to the name. In my opinion, it is always a good idea to include the file extension.

2. Type a descriptive name (like “Make Ends Meet Workbook”).

3. From the drop-down list, select your local "Desktop" . If you want to be able to access it while away from home, select your iCloud "Desktop". You will be able to find it easily in either location, and you can always move it later if you want to.
4. Press the return/enter key.
5. Close the Workbook (click the red dot at the top-left corner of the Numbers Window.)

Congratulations on your accomplishment.

————— ∞ —————

Proceed to the The INCOME Table

Trouble making ends meet? 

Read "MONEY: A USER GUIDE"

Bored?

"Strain The Brain"

Nashville, IN USA