First, Last name fields in Numbers --> Three columns on iWeb page

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Level 1

9 points

First, Last name fields in Numbers --> Three columns on iWeb page

I'm new to this (both Numbers and iWeb) and I'm trying to help someone with their page (it's for a local candidate). They have an excel spreadsheet with names and a bunch of other stuff. they want to put the list of first and last names on their "supporters" webpage, separated by a space, without having to do it manually -- at this point about 900 such names.

I can get the names out of Excel and into Numbers, obviously. And I think I know how to get the list into iWeb, if I can generate it (using an iWeb snippet, which I'd also love help with if anyone here knows THAT as well).

What I can't seem to do is create a list, in three columns, with First name (single space) last name. Whatever I put in the formula bar seems not to do anything. And I haven't even BEGUN to figure out how to generate the three-column list.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated. As dunce-worthy as possible -- believe me, I won't be offended if anyone talks down to me.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Dec 10, 2011 4:13 PM

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Answer 1

Barry

Level 9

60,023 points

Dec 11, 2011 2:20 AM in response to d000d2k

Hi d,

I think it's the "three column specification that's throwing me. You might need to clarify that.

The names are currently entered with First names in one column and Last names in the adjacent column. Here's a way to combine the first and last names into a "full name".

In the "Full" column, the formula is:

=B&" "&C

In Last, First, the formula is:

=C2&", "&B

To list the names in a three column table in iWeb, you may need to start with a three column table in Numbers. This one pulls the names from column D (Full) of the table above, and distributes them into three columns. The original table has had four names added, and has been sorted.

Note that the original table has been named "Data".

The Data table contains the formula(s) shown above.

The second table, "Aux", calculates the number of cells needed in each of the three columns so that no column is more than one cell longer than the shortest. Doing this calculation in an auxiliary table greatly simplifies the formulas needed in the final table.

This table contains a single formula, entered in B2, and filled right to D2. Note that A2 is referenced in the formulas in the final table, "3 Columns". A2 may be empty, contain text, or contain the number zero.

B2 (and fill right): =QUOTIENT(COUNTA(Data :: $C),3)+IF(MOD(COUNTA(Data :: $C),3)>COLUMN()-2,1,0)

The third table, "3 Columns" displays the names in three columns.

It contains a single formula, placed in A1 and filled right to column C and down to row 10.

3 Columns::A1 (and fill right and down): =IF(ROW()<=Aux::B$2,OFFSET(Data :: $A$1,SUM(Aux::$A$2:A$2,ROW()),3),"")

Descriptions and further examples for the functions used may be found in the iWork Formulas and Functions User Guide. The guide may be downloaded via the Help menu in Numbers.

Regards,

Barry

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