Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can't email a Numbers file

I'm trying to ween myself off Microsoft Office and use iWork more...but besides the usual formatting issues that iWork apps don't support, I've just encountered another problem I can't seem to work around. If I try to email a Numbers spreadsheet (in the clear or zipped) both Gmail and iCloud mail reject it as being an executable.

Come on, Apple...it's four columns and 30 rows of pure text and numbers...nothing at all executable. And the same spreadsheet in Excel will attach and send just fine in both email services. Does Numbers somehow mark all spreadsheets as executables? If so...I can't use it. Thanks for any help.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Dec 11, 2013 11:40 AM

40 replies

Dec 14, 2013 7:25 AM in response to SGIII

I just confirmed with a non-Apple PC user this works fine, but we knew this. My issue is that, as I said, a Mac user with an Apple ID and iCloud account is going to see that file open in Numbers Beta in iCloud...not just in his browser.

In any event, it can be done, which is the important thing. But I still think Apple needs to accellerate adding back the features they removed in all three iWorks 3 apps. They ones they had to begin with were already light years behind MS Office for Mac, but many of us just don't want that bloat on our comuters. But I'm still honestly thinking of going back to it simply because 95% of the people I exchange spreadsheets with use Windows and for me it's always been a conversion nightmare.

Not that it's difficult, but because there's always something that won't convert, even in simple spreadsheets...like the fonts. Never quite understood why Apple refuses to allow the Verdana font in iWorks with it's one of the most popular fonts in the world.

Dec 14, 2013 7:29 AM in response to SGIII

The user doesn't need worry about "opening" it. It opens automatically in a browser when the emailed link is clicked. Then it's a quick menu choice and the file downloads. (Or the recipient can make changes/add comments in the browser that will sync back to the sender's copy.)

I understand that for a PC users...I just confirmed it. But when I click on the link or I click on it from my wife's Mac...yes, it's opened in Safari, but it's opened in Number Beta, not just in Safari. There's even the yellow triangle in the upper-right corner that says BETA.

Dec 14, 2013 7:33 AM in response to Larry McJunkin

...in fact, it is definitely is in Number Beta as the toolbar is on the top, it says Numbers on the left, etc.

SGIII

Level 8

35,306 points

Dec 14, 2013 7:47 AM in response to Larry McJunkin

But when I click on the link or I click on it from my wife's Mac...yes, it's opened in Safari, but it's opened in Number Beta, not just in Safari.

Right, that's my experience too. Of course Numbers for iCloud Beta is "just in Safari" or any other modern browser. To me it's impressive how it behaves so much like a "real" app. Though it's got a ways to go before it's ready for primetime, it is good for light editing. And it does do the download thing efficiently. The recipient just has to know where to go (Tools menu).

Dec 14, 2013 7:51 AM in response to SGIII

Just a thought but I think the old Appleworks Spreadsheet was much better than Numbers and has been all along until they took it awayfrom us.

SGIII

Level 8

35,306 points

Dec 14, 2013 7:59 AM in response to George Chapman

Just a thought but I think the old Appleworks Spreadsheet was much better than Numbers

Better at some things perhaps. But what's "better" for some people is not "better" for other people. It's unlikely that Appleworks could provide syncing across devices, an important productivity consideration these days for some people.

Dec 14, 2013 6:34 PM in response to SGIII

( Though it's got a ways to go before it's ready for primetime, it is good for light editing. ) SGill this is what I meant by my AppleWorks comment. That was a Spreadsheet, Numbers just doesn't make it.

SGIII

Level 8

35,306 points

Dec 14, 2013 6:44 PM in response to George Chapman

Numbers just doesn't make it.

I think it would be fairer to say Numbers doesn't make it for those who use spreadsheets the way you are used to using them. But it does make it for lots of people who want the productivity enhancement from being able to use spreadsheets cross platform.

I've found the the most effective spreadsheets, like good writing, avoid convoluted construction and fancy features that are hard to understand when revisited months later. It's hard to make things simple and clear and powerful. The Numbers approach encourages that.

Dec 14, 2013 6:54 PM in response to SGIII

I don't understand this at all. It seems that this thing makes things more. Complicated but whatever. By the way the update to Dropbox allows Numbers 3 to open. Just now came out.

SGIII

Level 8

35,306 points

Dec 14, 2013 7:06 PM in response to George Chapman

Good to know on the new Dropbox. The release notes suggested iWork related improvements and I was wondering if Dropbox had cleared up the Numbers 3 problems. Will have to test it out, as Dropbox can be convenient for Mac to Mac file sharing (especially if password protection is needed) though one should be careful to avoid opening a document on more than one machine at a time.

But for Mac to iOS syncing using Dropbox is more complicated than using the integrated iCloud features, which work well.

Can't email a Numbers file