How to use common functions and formulas in Numbers on Mac and iOS

One of the best features of spreadsheet applications like Numbers is its built-in functions and formulas. These handy little tools let you work with numbers much more easily. You can sum a column, get the maximum number in a row, average a group of cells, and more without doing the calculations yourself.

While there are many built-in formulas, a handful of them are used most often. So, Apple makes these easily accessible in the Numbers application. They include sum, average, minimum, maximum, count, and product. This tutorial shows you how to work with these common functions and formulas in Numbers on both Mac and iOS.

Functions and formulas in the Numbers app

Inserting formulas in Numbers on Mac

While the spreadsheet we’re using in our example is small, imagine if you have one with hundreds of columns or rows. This is when using those formulas for your calculations is most valuable. Inserting the formula you want works the same way whether the values are in columns, rows, or a group of cells.

Start by selecting the cell where you want the formula and subsequent result displayed. Then, select Insert > Formula from the menu bar or the Insert button from the toolbar and pick the formula. When it pops into your spreadsheet, hit your Enter key.

Insert formula in Numbers on Mac

Numbers will guess at which group of cells you want to apply the formula to, but you can easily change this.

Editing the formulas

Double-click the cell containing the formula you just inserted. A small pop-up will display, showing you the formula and which cells it applies to. To change it, either drag the corners of the range of cells to those you want or click inside the pop-up and adjust the cells by typing in the labels. When you finish, click the checkmark in green.

Edit formula in Numbers on Mac

Getting a quick view of formulas

Maybe you want to get a view of one of the formulas without actually entering it into the spreadsheet as a cell. For instance, you might want to see the average of a column or the largest number in a group of cells.

Select the cells, and at the bottom of the Numbers window, you’ll see each of those common formulas display automatically. And if there is one you want to add to the view, select the gear icon to the right and choose the function.

Quick View of formulas in Numbers on Mac

Inserting and editing formulas in Numbers on iPhone and iPad

If you’re working with your spreadsheet on the go, you can insert formulas on your iPhone and iPad as well. Select the cell where you want the formula and subsequent result displayed. Tap the Cell button on the bottom and choose New Formula from the pop-up menu.

Insert formula in Numbers on iPad

You can then enter the formula yourself, or even better, tap the Function (fx) button on the left. You’ll then see those common formulas once again. Tap the one you want, and it will pop into the text area at the bottom. Using your finger, drag through the cells you want to apply the formula to or type them into the text area where it shows “value.” Tap the checkmark in green when you finish.

Edit formula in Numbers on iPad

Working with common functions and formulas in Numbers is much easier than you might think. And if you use these built-in tools, it can save you time and reduce possible errors with your data. Are you going to give it a try?

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