Numbers Version 15.1Now part of Apple Creator Studio

I upgraded my numbers app to the newest version and now I don't have my original files. I don't want to send an example due to sensitive material. However all my headings, previous year spreadsheets are no longer available


iMac 24″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 30, 2026 6:50 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 1, 2026 4:33 PM

Your data is still in the same location as it was before. I had some documents saved in iCloud and others on my device and there was no change. You are probably looking in the Open Recent menu and not finding your files there. You will need to open the file from the location they were stored to repopulate the Open Recent menu. Check in the Documents folder on your Mac or the respective folder on your iCloud Drive, which you should see in the sidebar of a Finder window.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 1, 2026 4:33 PM in response to Pattris

Your data is still in the same location as it was before. I had some documents saved in iCloud and others on my device and there was no change. You are probably looking in the Open Recent menu and not finding your files there. You will need to open the file from the location they were stored to repopulate the Open Recent menu. Check in the Documents folder on your Mac or the respective folder on your iCloud Drive, which you should see in the sidebar of a Finder window.

Jan 30, 2026 8:43 AM in response to Pattris

Numbers on Mac does not store files in itself, so they can't be missing from it.


Are you maybe saying they are no longer available in the Recents option the file menu, or in the open file dialog?


If so, you should be able to open them directly from whatever folder they are stored in on your hard drive. The update should not have changed this or affect the actual files in any way.


click here ➜ Open a spreadsheet in Numbers on Mac - Apple Support


Feb 1, 2026 5:38 AM in response to Pattris

If you use iCloud, then every installed app has its own container (Folder Type / Kind labeled "App Library" in Finder). If you never picked any other location, you probably have saved your files in that container as it's the default location for new or default files created inside an app. For Numbers that should be "iCloud Drive/Numbers/" . Unless you delete that folder manually, it should remain there after deleting the corresponding app. I don't think it's possible to accidentally save files in the app bundle itself, as it's protected.


From what I've read so far, the shift to Apple Creator Studio is significant. I think this hasn't been well communicated nor executed, that's why I'm still holding off and evaluating if I will stay in the Apple Ecosystem at all. This move has shattered my trust in Apple. Good luck with recovering your data, I feel you.

Feb 1, 2026 4:30 PM in response to hannsf

hannsf wrote:

Totally agree that this "Apple Creator Studio" change seems half baked. Somebody decided that Apple needs to get some AI something something everywhere. Thing is, I don't want to create AI images while I'm working on a spreadsheet!

You don't have to create any AI images and if you choose not to add the subscription, you wouldn't be able to do it anyway. The apps have all the features that were available in the free version and you don't need to pay anything if you don't want to. All previous documents open up just fine and can continue to edit and save them without an issue. Is there something specific you are referring to?

Numbers Version 15.1Now part of Apple Creator Studio

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.