Where is the RC type cell reference??

sorry, but almost nobody uses R1C1 notation ( as it is actually known). I use it while teaching to teach how the computer actually thinks about the locations of the cells, but then I never use it again. A1 style makes perfect sense since it is being stored in a two dimensional array in memory from a programming perspective.

Since it is in the 10% of stuff that is most rarely used in Excel, it was left out of numbers at this time. If enough people request it via the Feedback option in the Numbers menu, they will listen and add the functionality.

Good luck in gettign the features you request,
Jason

You are correct that in many instances it is an easier way of working on certain types of equations. I have used it multiple times programming automation to populate many cells of data quickly without going through the whole A1 reference style mess.

Sorry, being an engineer you will understand, I am all about numbers (I'm a Marine Engineer by education):
Fact: 10% *or less*. 3000 students worth of questions and answers over three years show it. MS documentation and teaching materials don't touch it. MS tests don't touch it. I added it to every class for my advanced/Very advanced users. *Not 1 Knew About It.* No matter how advanced. Your the first person to even ask about it in any forum I have been a part of. And yes, I have been with spreadsheets since visicalc was cool. 🙂

Hope you find a way to use Numbers, I would love to see your models, whether in Numbers or excel. Sounds fascinating.

Have a great day,
Jason

Hello

I wonder if the problem is not a simple vocabulary one.

In Numbers, as in many spreadsheets, we may use several kind of cell ref.

D12 moving this ref changes the column and the row
$D12 moving this ref changes the row and leaves the column as is
D$12 moving this ref changes the column and leaves the row as is
$D$12 moving this ref leaves the column and the row as is

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE mercredi 24 octobre 2007 21:12:07)

I'm surprised that not 1 knew about it. I am no Excel wiz, but I have used it a few times. In the end it usually turned out that it was easier with A1-notation so I abandoned RC.

yvan,
in excel there is a way of referring to cells by absolute reference.

Its called R1C1 referencing. Its turned on in the options area, under the general tab. heres how it works:

If you were wanting to add the number in the column to the left to the number one row above a certain cell, then the equation would be =r[-1]c+rc[-1]
The number in brackets next to the R will tell it how many rows to move up or down to find the cell your looking for. Same thing for the C being how many columns.

As I said, almost nobody uses it. In some cases, it is very useful.

Jason

A better question is why does it reference R1C1 formatting in the Numbers Help in the INDIRECT function?

"FALSE or 0 returns an error indicating that the R1C1 style isn’t supported."

I use spreadsheets a lot. I was really excited for Numbers, because I do not like Excel for Mac. R1C1 is a must to anyone who really uses spreadsheets. Hope this gets added, as well as keyboard short cuts, without these two things, Numbers will be short-lived for hardcore spreadsheet users.

R1C1 is a must to anyone who really uses spreadsheets. Hope this gets added, as well as keyboard short cuts, without these two things, Numbers will be short-lived for hardcore spreadsheet users.

two points here:
1) read teh entire posting to find that I have been using spreadsheets since before Jobs asked Bill to make a spreadsheet for his original Mac. i.e. Very Hardcore Spreadsheet user, and I use R1C1 reference style about once per year, maybe. No other user do I personally know that uses it.

2) Numbers IS NOT MEANT FOR HARDCORE USERS, to do hardcore spreadsheets.

For hardcore users, please go use your tools that ARE MEANT FOR HARDCORE USE.

Just my 2 cents,
Jason

Popular Applause !!

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE samedi 1 décembre 2007 13:23:34)

thank you, thank you <insert bow here>
I'll be here all week, remember to tip your waitresses.
Try the veal special tonight.

🙂
Jason