Incorrect data assigned

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Level 1

4 points

Incorrect data assigned

I'm using Numbers for a simple list. Unfortunately it doesn't save some entries, and most annoyingly it misaligns/misassigns data. For example, I will row 2 with an entry: Bob (column 1), test (2), and data (3). At some point during the same session, even after reloading, or sorting columns, row 2, Bob, will contain column 2's cell entry from row 10 (for example). This happens whether or not I use headers, row headers, etc. It happens to manually entered cells, and pop-up formatted cells. Numbers is utterly useless if it cannot handle such a simple task. Is this a current bug being worked on? What am I doing wrong? Etc.

Thanks,

Jo Jo

Posted on Sep 6, 2019 6:57 PM

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Answer 1

★ Helpful

Barry

Level 9

59,804 points

Sep 6, 2019 8:08 PM in response to DrDaringPhD

Hi Jo Jo,

Can you provide a visual representation of the issue?

Ideally this would be a series of screen shots of the actual table, or a copy of that table (with data that is anonymous with respect to using real names or personal data).

Please remember that we are not there, looking over your shoulder. We cannot see what you see on the screen, and we cannot see what you are doing, right or wrong. We have only the information that you provide.

At this point, it appears you have a single table with three columns and several rows.

Is all of the data on the table entered directly, either by typing it in, by choosing a vaue from a pop-up menu, or by pasting it into the individual cells, or is some of the data displayed the result of formulas?

Header Rows are not included in a sort of the table. They are fixed in position at the top of the table.

Header column cells are sorted with the rest of their rows

Are the entries being made on a single table?

You cannot 'sort columns' individually in Numbers. The application uses a database model and considers each ROW a singe record, and each COLUMN a field in each record.

Any sort will move the ROWs of the table into an order determined by the values in the COLUMN on which the sort is based.

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 2

DrDaringPhD Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 7, 2019 9:20 AM in response to Barry

Yes, all the data is entered correctly, and no formulas. It isn't drawing on information from other cells or tabs, and no calculations. It is for a video game where you can breed dinos, so it is being used as a simple database to record stats that can be passed on to offspring. I'm not new to Numbers, though certainly not a regular user, and have never had an issue that I can think of. Below is a screenshot you asked for:

As you can see, it's quite simple. Currently the Sex column is a pop-up menu. There are others off screen. The Species column was a pop-up column, but due to the issue I've gotten rid of it since it appeared that it was the column that was giving the most problems. I have not noticed the numerical stats being "re-assigned," but I also haven't scrutinized that information as of yet. The Species column has been the one that has been most noticeable currently. Even after creating a new column and deleting the old one, the entries have been getting re-assigned. There have also been issues of entering information, or a new entry altogether, and it not being there next time I open the file. I've tried using the file on an iPad, Mac, and even going directly to iCloud and using it. Same result. Today it appears the information is assigned correctly after the upteenth time I've fixed it (most recently last night). But I don't have the time at the moment to scrutinize it too closely. This file is shared with one other person, just in case that could prove valuable troubleshooting information. He also either uses an iPad with Numbers or goes straight to iCloud.

Thanks for the help,

Jo Jo

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Answer 3

Best answer

t quinn

Level 5

7,042 points

Sep 7, 2019 9:44 AM in response to DrDaringPhD

Hi Jo Jo,

That data is being scrambled in a simple table as you describe, suggests that there is a corrupt influence at work. Could it be your partner? haha. Could the file be corrupt?

I use Numbers daily and have many extensive files and have never had this issue even with files I am collaborating on thru iCloud. The popups should be irrelevant to the issue.

quinn

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Answer 4

★ Helpful

Badunit

Level 7

24,910 points

Sep 7, 2019 4:11 PM in response to DrDaringPhD

I think first thing is to eliminate the possiblity that the other person is messing it up or that sharing is messing it up. Quit allowing the other person to edit it. It may end up being some kind of corruption in the file, nothing to do with sharing, but I think I would start here.

I have not used any of the collaboration tools. Is it possible to see who edited it last? Are older versions retained?

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Answer 5

DrDaringPhD Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 7, 2019 10:32 PM in response to t quinn

It wasn't the other person messing the data up. Sharing/file corruption would be the only logical thing. I've created a new file, copied all the data over, and have using the file all day today. It appears to be working fine. Very strange situation. Hopefully it remains fine. I still have yet to reintroduce some of the pop-up cells.

Thanks all for the help.

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Incorrect data assigned

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