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Column Naming

How can I give columns a name in Numbers for Mac?

Posted on Aug 16, 2019 10:26 AM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

1) Move the cursor to the letter of the last column, click the v symbol there, and choose 'Add Column After' from the contextual menu;



Then, if you want checkboxes, select the cells where you want them and format them as 'Checkbox' here:



2) Convert the first row to Header Row by moving the over the 1 to the left, click the v symbol and choosing 'Convert to Header Row' from the contextual menu:


Then type in the names you want in the cells in the shaded area.


3) Move the cursor to the A at the top, click the v symbol, and choose 'Delete Column' from the contextual menu.


If you're new to Numbers, highly recommend visiting Numbers Help in the Help menu.


SG

Posted on Aug 16, 2019 12:41 PM

11 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Aug 16, 2019 11:08 AM in response to RayPaula

To further explain myself, I’m just learning how to use Apple Numbers on my MacBook Pro. I’m creating a database of my library of songs (screenshot below). I would like to know if the following can be done and if so, how to do so;

1) I would like to add a simple column that has check boxes in order to check and/or uncheck as I’m playing music. 

2) I would like to give each column a name such as Song Title, Artist, Genre and so on. It would be nice if I could do this by simply replacing the letter A, B, C, D and so on at the top with the names. 

3) Can the first column of numbers be eliminated? I don’t need them.

 Any help would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks, Ray


Question marked as Apple recommended

Aug 16, 2019 12:41 PM in response to RayPaula

1) Move the cursor to the letter of the last column, click the v symbol there, and choose 'Add Column After' from the contextual menu;



Then, if you want checkboxes, select the cells where you want them and format them as 'Checkbox' here:



2) Convert the first row to Header Row by moving the over the 1 to the left, click the v symbol and choosing 'Convert to Header Row' from the contextual menu:


Then type in the names you want in the cells in the shaded area.


3) Move the cursor to the A at the top, click the v symbol, and choose 'Delete Column' from the contextual menu.


If you're new to Numbers, highly recommend visiting Numbers Help in the Help menu.


SG

Aug 16, 2019 4:00 PM in response to RayPaula

Hi Ray,


3) Can the first column of numbers be eliminated? I don’t need them.


3a) Do you mean Column A, the first column of the Table, containing the numbers 01, 01-1, 01-2, etc.,

3b) Or do you mean the 'column' to the left of the table, containing the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.


If you mean column A, follow SG's instructions above.


If you mean the 'column' described in 3b, you may have discovered by now that it (and the A, B, C… row above the table) is visible when the table is 'Active' (ie. when a cell is selected, or when you are entering data into the table).


These are the row and column reference tabs. They disappear when the table is not the 'Active' table, and reappear as soon as any part of the table is selected. When available, they allow you to select a whole row or column by selecting its reference tab. With a column selected, you can adjust its width, move it to another position, delete it, add a column to its left or right, and several other actions. Similar actions are possible with rows, using the column of Row reference tabs.


The reference tab row and column can't be deleted, but they do remain hidden when you are simply viewing the table, and appear when you are editing the table.


Regards,

Barry



Aug 18, 2019 7:04 PM in response to RayPaula

Hi Ray,


The row reference tabs are 'hard wired' into the software, and can't be tuned on and off by the used. They, and the column reference tabs (above the table) are visible whenever any part of the table is selected.


If you want that behaviour changed, you'll need to make the request to Apple's developers and managers. Use the Provide Numbers Feedback in the Numbers menu. Give your reasons for the requested change.


I can understand your position here—I find the reference tabs very useful while writing formulas and laying out a table to do a specific job, but I can also see they might be a nuisance once the dcument has been created, and ins in regular use. An on-off switch could be a useful tool!


Regards,

Barry

Aug 18, 2019 7:28 PM in response to RayPaula

In Numbers row numbers and column letters are automatically and conveniently hidden simply by clicking away from the table. Simple and elegant.


In Excel one has to burrow deep into a Preferences menu to hide them.


I sure hope that kind of interface complication doesn't come to Numbers!


Are you all set on points 1) and 2) in my post above?


SG




Column Naming

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