Custom Data Format

I am using the new version of numbers and cannot find an option for custom data format. Has it been removed or am I missing something? Can someone point me out where it is? Either that, or let me know how to get a bigger currency list as the currency I am wanting is not there.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Oct 30, 2013 12:25 PM

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7 replies

Nov 3, 2013 1:59 AM in response to cullen15

Ok there is a small workaround to this. Open the old iWork version of Numbers, create a custom data format, enter data into a cell with the format set as your custom setting, copy that cell, open the new version of Numbers, paste the cell somewhere and this custom data format will now appear at the bottom of the Data Format list.

Nov 3, 2013 2:30 AM in response to cullen15

Hi Cullen,


I tried this with both


Leading Zeroes: enter 1 to display 0001 and


Date: enter 3 November 2013 to display Nov 13 (short month and short year). My region's date format is Day Month Year. i.e. the 3rd of November 2013 😉.


Both formats worked in Numbers 2. After copying and pasting to cells in Numbers 3, I did not see a new format at the bottom of the Numbers 3 Data Format list. The cells in Numbers 3 showed either "Actual" or "Text" in the bottom left of the window. So I don't think the custom format carried over.


Could you post a screen shot to demonstrate?


Regards,

Ian.

Nov 3, 2013 10:02 PM in response to Yellowbox

Hi Ian,


Yes you are right. The same thing happened to me. I know why. What I originally did was save the Numbers 2 document, then opened it up in Numbers 3, that is how the custom format carried over, not by copying and pasting. If you do that, your custom format should appear at the bottom of the Data Format drop down list.


Not ideal especially if you need to create a new template, but for the moment it's the only way I can see to create a custom format in Numbers 3.


Cheers. Cullen.

Nov 4, 2013 3:43 AM in response to cullen15

Hi Cullen,


Thank you for this workaround. I did as you said, and it works, unlike copy and paste from Numbers 2.3 to Numbers 3.0 🙂.


In Numbers '09 (version 2.3) I created two Custom formats.


Column A is the inbuilt Date and Time format showing only the Date (my region's date format is Day Month Year).

Column B is a Custom Format to show short Month, space, short year.

Column C is the inbuilt format for Number.

Column D is a custom Format to show leading zeroes.

User uploaded file


Then I did as you said and saved the Numbers 2 document (as a document for future use, not as a Template, because I am not sure how Templates are shared between the two versions on Numbers).


Then File, option key > Save As... a new name to preserve my original from harm by Numbers 3.0 😉.


In Numbers 3, (as you said) open the spare copy and the Custom formats are indeed listed. Format Inspector > Cell > Data Format


User uploaded file


And they do work. Here is where I edited the cell content by entering new values from the keyboard:


User uploaded file


I shall place a link to this thread on the thread named "Workarounds in Numbers 3.0?"


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5512949?answerId=23622372022#23622372022


Thanks for this.


Regards,

Ian.

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Custom Data Format

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