BrandoCalrissian
Level 1 (4 points)
iOS Apps

Q: iOS Numbers Forms

Hello all,

I'm trying to create a form for an already existing spreadsheet in iOS Numbers on my iPhone running 9.3.3. The spreadsheet was created on my mac. It has both a header column and 2 header rows. For some reason the + will not give me the option of creating a form. I have attempted un-merging the cells in the header row, I have tried setting only one row as a header row, every time it just starts a new blank sheet. Any help would be appreciated.

IMG_1224.PNG

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Aug 7, 2016 3:47 PM

by t quinn,Solvedanswer
t quinn t quinn
Level 5 (4,940 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Hi Brando,

 

It is not a problem on my iPod to generate a form with totals for each day. I think keeping it simple will serve you best, however. I would set up my document with a report table on another tab to collect my daily totals.

 

FYI, I went back and recreated your original table with only one header row and A1 blank- no problem generating a form. So I am unclear as to why you are having difficulty. It may be some residual from merging/unmerging cells. Merging cells is never a good idea in Numbers unless it is a purely informational table and you will never be extracting info.

 

I want to encourage you to rethink your setup. You may be planning on having a separate tab for each month. Numbers works very well with a primary data table and then various report tables for different days, weeks, months; you could even extract data based on the exercise. This will be much more difficult if you need to look in different tabs to gather, say, yearly totals. I would create a single table for my data entry. Instead of Day 1 Day 2, etc. I would be using dates (if you select the month and move on Numbers enters the current day of the month).

 

quinn

Posted on Aug 8, 2016 4:53 PM

Close
BrandoCalrissian

Q: iOS Numbers Forms

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Kilgore-Trout,Helpful

    Kilgore-Trout Kilgore-Trout Aug 8, 2016 10:41 AM in response to BrandoCalrissian
    Level 7 (32,519 points)
    iPad
    Aug 8, 2016 10:41 AM in response to BrandoCalrissian

    More than likely due to mixed data types on a given column. The form is based on a simple and consistent row format (i.e. each row is the same as the one above or below it). It really isn't going to work for that table.

  • by t quinn,Helpful

    t quinn t quinn Aug 8, 2016 10:41 AM in response to BrandoCalrissian
    Level 5 (4,940 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 8, 2016 10:41 AM in response to BrandoCalrissian

    Hi Brando,

     

    I think Kilgore-Trout has it nailed. I think you need to recreate your table more along these lines:

    Screen Shot 2016-08-08 at 10.25.15 AM.png

    When forms gets 2 headers it will only show you the first so you would not have seen whether you were in standing curls weight or reps if you had gotten the form to work. Also, your form will be showing you one row at a time so you will probably want the repitition in column A.

     

    quinn

  • by BrandoCalrissian,

    BrandoCalrissian BrandoCalrissian Aug 8, 2016 11:07 AM in response to t quinn
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iOS Apps
    Aug 8, 2016 11:07 AM in response to t quinn

    Thanks guys, I especially appreciate that you made a visual aid. I guess I'll either deal with the annoying method of data input or go back and completely redesign the sheet. i just have to figure out how to keep other functions of the sheet while still being able to use a form. Just so I'm clear, if I were to recreate the sheet to resemble the one above if I add a row between each day to total the reps, would that confuse the form generator?

  • by t quinn,Solvedanswer

    t quinn t quinn Aug 8, 2016 4:53 PM in response to BrandoCalrissian
    Level 5 (4,940 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 8, 2016 4:53 PM in response to BrandoCalrissian

    Hi Brando,

     

    It is not a problem on my iPod to generate a form with totals for each day. I think keeping it simple will serve you best, however. I would set up my document with a report table on another tab to collect my daily totals.

     

    FYI, I went back and recreated your original table with only one header row and A1 blank- no problem generating a form. So I am unclear as to why you are having difficulty. It may be some residual from merging/unmerging cells. Merging cells is never a good idea in Numbers unless it is a purely informational table and you will never be extracting info.

     

    I want to encourage you to rethink your setup. You may be planning on having a separate tab for each month. Numbers works very well with a primary data table and then various report tables for different days, weeks, months; you could even extract data based on the exercise. This will be much more difficult if you need to look in different tabs to gather, say, yearly totals. I would create a single table for my data entry. Instead of Day 1 Day 2, etc. I would be using dates (if you select the month and move on Numbers enters the current day of the month).

     

    quinn

  • by BrandoCalrissian,

    BrandoCalrissian BrandoCalrissian Aug 8, 2016 6:01 PM in response to t quinn
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iOS Apps
    Aug 8, 2016 6:01 PM in response to t quinn

    Thanks again Quinn! I was dreading starting over, but I had originally designed the spreadsheet to be printed and filled out by hand - hence merged cells for aesthetic. Then I got the idea of going paperless and entering the data on my phone. (I'm new to Numbers for iOS and just discovered the forms feature) The idea of a single data sheet generating reports onto separate tabs is much cleaner. Thank you for your time and effort. You've been a huge help!

  • by t quinn,

    t quinn t quinn Aug 8, 2016 8:09 PM in response to BrandoCalrissian
    Level 5 (4,940 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 8, 2016 8:09 PM in response to BrandoCalrissian

    Hi Brando,

     

    Glad to help. Thanks for the check. I love the forms feature for entering data. I set up the data table with that in mind. I don't spend much time with the data entry table nowadays- I am looking at various report tables and charts.

     

    If you have specific questions when you get down to it don't hesitate to post.

     

    quinn