numbers how to find and replace from selection?

Here are Automator Service/Quick Actions that I made a few years ago and do what you describe:

Find in Selection (Dropbox download)

Find Replace in Selection (Dropbox download)

No scripting knowledge needed. Double-click the downloaded package to install, and make sure Automator is listed and checked at:

System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Accessibility

To run just select from the Numbers > Services menu and follow the prompts.

As with any menu items you can attach to keyboard shortcuts if you want.

SG

If you are asking about finding and replacing using the built-in Find/Replace feature (command F), it is very very basic. It is the same basic one Apple uses in its other apps. Replace All does not limit itself to your selected cell or table or sheet and there is no setting to make it do so, as much as I think there should be.

If you want to find/replace specific characters in one selected cell, select the cell then Command F to bring up Find/Replace, type in what you want in the Find and Replace Fields and hit Replace (not Replace All). Wildcards are not permitted (which is what you would need to use it for your other question). If there are multiple matches to be replaced in the one cell, I think you have to hit Return before you can click Replace again. After they are all done, it will move to the next cell.

There may be an Applescript around someplace that will Find/Replace within a selection range (a rectangular selection of cells, up to an entire table). I know pieces of one are out there for specific tasks but I don't know if one is out there that includes a dialog box with the find and replace fields.

Do you have a specific task in mind, other than the one in your other question about removing all characters after and including the first parenthesis?

Thanks. Made the correction. New Dropbox download link here:

Find Replace in Selection

SG

fedelien70 wrote:

Unfortunately with version 11.2 in Big Sur the script doesn't work anymore.

If you can find a solution I would thank you, otherwise I have to go back to LIBREOFFICE.

Yes, a BIG bug has been introduced in Numbers 11.2 that breaks all scripts that need access to the selection range in Numbers. That means MOST useful scripts are now useless!

It would help if you could go to Numbers > Provide Numbers Feedback and file a bug report (bug one of the choices in the dropdown for feedback type.)

Apple may or may not be reading these discussions. Providing direct feedback could make it more likely this issue gets the attention of the iWork team.

SG

Peachy. I needed those, too. Not for anything in particular, just to have a round when needed. I notice Find/Replace will delete formulas so I am making one change to it, replacing the line

if aCell's value is not missing value then

with

if aCell's formula is missing value and aCell's value is not missing value then

And I am assigning Command F to this workflow. I can get the the default one through the menu system

Hi SGIII,

First of all, thank you for your script I used in the past a ton and saved a lot of time.

This is a basic feature that should be included since version 1.0.0, I don't know what Apple product manager and product specialist are thinking.

Unfortunately with version 11.2 in Big Sur the script doesn't work anymore.

If you can find a solution I would thank you, otherwise I have to go back to LIBREOFFICE.

Apple please wake up, try to implement features for Real Life Usage not for play.

Best Regards,

Federico

Hi SG,

Thank you for your reply, Sad News.

I reported the bug as you suggested, anyway it is really weird that in 2021 we're still discussing the lack of such a basic and indispensable feature.

Regards,

Federico

Hi BNCELLO,

Could you take another look at your question then rewrite it to clarify what it is that you are asking.

Regards,

Barry