how to print selected cells in numbers

Thank you for your suggestion, however, that isn't the same as the very-easy-to-use Print Selection feature in Microsoft Excel.

Surely there's another way. It's 2014 -- not 1984.

There may be some users that aren't quite as dependent on old-fashioned printouts in 2014 as in 1984. And when you do need to print out part of a document, Jerry's and Ian's suggestions do the job without much trouble.

However, if you feel strongly that you often need to print just parts of a document (and you don't want to redesign your document) then in your menu choose Numbers > Provide Numbers Feedback. We're just fellow users here.

SG

Hi applenascent,

It seems the better method, at least for me, was to hide-columns.

No need to hide columns. That is exactly the point in my two replies on the previous page of this thread. Numbers has never had Print Selection because it does not need it. Numbers is based around several tables, each with a purpose. For example, a Very Large Data Base on one Sheet (not for printing) and a small Presentation table (a subset for printing or on-screen display) on another Sheet. Create the subset with functions such as LOOKUP.

Regards,

Ian.

Thank you Barry, I do see what you are saying and have done the same myself in the past when creating new spreadsheets. I guess the bummer is that when a new sheet is opened in Numbers, you see all those extra rows and columns as seen in my example image above. Can I highlight and delete both the unnecessary rows and columns until such time I need to add new players and then add more rows? Sure.. But, would it be just as easy (if not easier) to simply select the cells that have the content, and hit cmd+P to print that selected area? I think so.

But, the few extra steps to print a selection is really a minor inconvenience in the big scheme of how much I like using Numbers and other Apple programs.

Thanks again for the reply to a really old thread!

Hi Chris,

"But, would it be just as easy (if not easier) to simply select the cells that have the content, and hit cmd+P to print that selected area? I think so."

Possibly, but only if that feature were available, which it is not.

Even if it were, it would require selecting the cells you wanted, then printing each time you wanted to print the selection.

Using a table with only as many rows and columns as needed to fit the data requires changing the table size each time the size of the data set changes (one click, then one click for each row or column you want to add) but eliminates the need to select cells each tim you print the table.

Making the table fit the data will save you the mousework of selecting the cells to print every time you print the table.

Adding a row or a column to the 'right size' table is a click plus a single combination keystroke. Which will you need to do more often, Print, or change the number of columns or rows in the table?

Adding Rows or columns:

Click on a cell. Press option-down arrow to add a row below that cell.

Click on a cell. Press option-right arrow to add a column to the right of that cell.

(option-up arrow and option-left arrow also work, and do what you'd expect in this context.)

Regards,

Barry

Thanks Yellowbox. It was a rhetorical question as I answered my own question in the next sentence. But thanks for the heads up on making a custom template to open Numbers with!

This is one reason I like being in the Apple Community. Always finding helpful people with good advice even on year old topics! :-)

Thanks Barry...I know what you are saying, and know how to do what you are suggesting. I was more lamenting the little extra work necessary to delete and add rows vs simply highlighting them by clicking and dragging my mouse then hitting CMD & P to print the necessary cells.. Total first world problem, and obviously there are a few good workarounds albeit with a few extra keystrokes. (poor, poor me, I know) :-) 😟

Thanks again - have a good day!

chris9771 wrote:

the little extra work necessary to delete and add rows vs simply highlighting them by clicking and dragging my mouse then hitting CMD & P to print the necessary cells..

Hi Chris,

Keeping extra blank columns and rows in tables in Numbers (and also in Excel; yes, Excel has tables too!) is inefficient and ugly. Recommend getting in the habit of cleaning up your tables to include necessary rows and columns only. Have a look at the templates at File > New in your menu to see good examples of Numbers design.

SG

Confused by the 'c'mon dude"–I and others are here to try to help fellow users take advantage of the product as it is designed. Tables in Numbers (and Excel, and indeed in most apps that use data in tabular format) are more efficient without extra columns and rows that contain no information. They also almost always look better. Highly recommend checking out the templates as they contain many good ideas on how to get the most out of Numbers

SG

Sorry we've all managed somehow to "miss the point."🙂

I would guess there are many Numbers users who are generally satisfied and realize no app is perfect and tailored just for them. Check out the templates for examples of how to take advantage of the unique design. And if you want to give feedback to Apple simply choose Numbers > Provide Numbers Feedback in your menu. We're fellow users here.

SG

Hi Jumpsystems,

Numbers can't do what we want!

Have you tried SG's suggestion?

Highly recommend checking out the templates as they contain many good ideas on how to get the most out of Numbers

Please reply with what you want to do. Numbers is not Excel. Numbers is table-based. You may find that several small tables will work for you.

Regards,

Ian.

Hi Chris,

Hide the table name in Format Panel > Table > Untick Table Name

Hey, Wayne, could you explain how your method differs from Jerry's upthread? (The first reply to OP).

SG

Thanks for the reply. Why does it copy Table Name? How to avoid it?

Thank you so much, YellowBox