Refresh numbers page

Question

Level 1

9 points

Refresh numbers page

I have numbers for my desktop and my ios devices (iapd 2 and iphone 3gs)

I want to create a random number generator spreadsheet, and have been able to set it up. On the desktop, clicking a checkbox field recalculates the random numbers.

On IOS nothing happens.

Ideally a macro or button that is clicked forcing all to recalculate would be best.

Any help available? Is this a FEATURE of IOS? One of the things that they still can't get sync'd with the real version of the program? Should I look to Excel for my solution?

Thought to try Bento 4 but that apparently is limited vastly in the number of functions you can use.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jun 24, 2012 7:45 AM

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Answer 1

Jeff Shenk

Level 4

3,005 points

Jun 24, 2012 9:13 AM in response to DWWilkin

As an example, if you are using RAND() to generate the random number, and the checkbox is in cell A1, substituting:

IF(A1, RAND(), RAND())

for RAND() will allow the checkbox to function as a recalculate button.

(Basically, this forces the RAND() function to "look" at the checkbox.)

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Answer 2

DWWilkin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 24, 2012 9:55 AM in response to Jeff Shenk

That works fine on the desktop Numbers_9, but not at all still on the IOS version. There it just alternates between True and False in A1, and A2 where I placed the formula does nothing.

Something is off between iPad/iPhone version and Mac OS versions of application software I believe

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Answer 3

Jeff Shenk

Level 4

3,005 points

Jun 24, 2012 10:30 AM in response to DWWilkin

It is, of course, unnecessary on the full version since changing the checkbox will refresh every cell anyway.

On the iOS version, though, Numbers only refreshes cells that refer to the one that changed, which is why you need the IF() function. It worked on my iPod three months ago when I first tried it, and it worked just now when I retried it. I don't use Numbers on my iPod much (really, at all), so I am not very familiar with the interface, but as far as I can tell, to toggle a checkbox in iOS, you

Double tap the cell to bring up the entry bar for the checkbox
Tap the checkbox in the entry bar to toggle the TRUE/FALSE value
Tap the green check mark at the right end of the entry bar to enter the change

On my iPod, the RAND() function updates after step 3.

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Answer 4

Barry

Level 9

60,023 points

Jun 24, 2012 10:36 AM in response to DWWilkin

Hi DW,

Since the issue seems to be with the iOS version, and the Mac version is demonstrating what I'd consider 'normal' behaviour, I've requested this discussion be transfered to the iWork for iOS community.

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 5

DWWilkin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 24, 2012 10:05 PM in response to DWWilkin

After much work, Jeff's formula now seems to be working. Will try more iterations to see if something in the exact wording needs to be clarified.

I am not sure but there was a complete close of the program in between. (When you close out the program by scrolling through all the open programs and closing them. Not just using the button to close which keeps them running in the background.

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