changing a column of positive numbers to negative

One of the things I like about scripts by SG is that they are usually a straight through ride, making for easy reading and understanding. While that's probably a result of "I'm pretty much a beginner," I'm finding it a useful feature for anyone interested in learning more about AppleScript.

Regards,

Barry

Select from menu w/could be simpler.

Since an Automator Service containing an AppleScript is a "select from menu" I'm not sure how to interpret your remark. Think I'll sign off here too!

@Barry and @Ian, I'm delighted that my modest scripts are helping revive interest and shed some light on how AppleScript can enhance Numbers in practical ways. Judging from the latest update to iWork, Apple must be devoting significant resources to breathing new life into something once thought moribund. That's great for general users with occasional specialized needs. It's similar in power to Visual Basic macros for Excel but (for someone like me without a technical background) more accessible.

SG

Not sure what is so difficult to grasp if thread is followed.

1.I wanted to know how to convert positive/negative numbers.

2. I wondered if there was a feature already built into the drop-down menu.

3. It was explained to me that there was no built-in feature but an Applescript could be written.

4. Examples of script were helpfully provided.

5. I said that the contributions were very useful but as Numbers worked across various platforms - some of which (like Apple's own iPad) did not support AppleScript then it would useful if Apple built the feature into its existing drop-down menu as a standard feature.

Hope you now understand the conversation. I have made the suggestion to Apple.

Many thanks.

I used to be able to download Bank Statements as CSV files & import them into Numbers but in this last month this no longer works for some reason. This post was really helpful. many thanks

Have tried the above Apple scripts on latest numbers 4.1.1 and can't get any of them to work. I select an entire column or range and only the first cell selected changes sign from negative to positive. Anyone got an updated AppleScript?

Here's an updated script.

SG

property myMultiplier : -1

tell application "Numbers"

tell front document's active sheet

tell (first table whose class of selection range is range)

set selRange to selection range

repeat with c in selRange's cells

try

set c's value to (c's value) * myMultiplier

end try

end repeat

end tell

end tell

end tell

makfai writes: "Why Apple couldn't have a simple convert option built in I don't know but this is a useful workaround."

How would "a simple convert option" be simpler than this?

Regards,

Barry

Hi Jerry,

Different, but significantly 'simpler' only in the sense of 'what I'm used to doing.'

Barry

That was the life eh? Real floppies that actually flopped and when the 100mb disc arrived! "We will never need anything bigger" was the cry!

One of the improvements in Numbers 3.2 just out today appears to be the ability to directly access a formula, via a new formula property of a cell. That's a definite improvement over Numbers 2.3.

SG

Really good but I am not sure it works on iPad

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/20286331/does-ios-7-support-applescript

Hi SG

Somebody named you as SG, the Scripting Guru.

Keep scripting, SG and keep up the good work!

Regards,

Ian.

Hi SG,

Somewhere in this Numbers for Mac forum, someone saluted you as SG, the Scripting Guru. I agree.

Regards,

Ian.

I know.