how do i add a timestamp in ipad numbers

In Numbers for iOS, to add the time in a cell (e.g. a timestamp), double-tap the target cell where you want the time until the keyboard pops up, tap the 'clock' icon, tap hour minute or second, then tap 'Now' (at the bottom of the number keypad next to the '0').

SG

Hi Powly,

As SG implies there is no way to automate a timestamp, to fill a time in when another cell is filled. A timestamp requires its own action.

At the risk of confusining things here is a formula that will NOT work for D3 " =IF(D2>0, NOW(),""") " . It says if D2 has a positive entry then display the current time, otherwise nothing. The first time you make an entry into D2 you will get a nice timestamp of the current time. After that every time your spreadsheet makes a calculation it will show the (then) current time. Not what you want.

quinn

Hi Powly1966,

Sorry you feel the description of how to tap in a time stamp in Numbers for iOS (it's easy, once one knows about that 'Now' key) is "not relevant" to your question about "how do I add a time stamp in iPad numbers."

It seems your question is something else. Until you state it clearly with some specifics on what you are trying to accomplish perhaps it's not helpful to call things "ludicrous" and "useless."🙂

SG

A timestamp is a couple of taps away, in my opinion not "ludicrous" but quite convenient (once one discovers the 'Now' key).

How is a time stamp done as a "simple task" in Excel that's easier than a few taps? (I'm an Excel user).

What is the task you are trying to accomplish?

SG

Hi Powly,

I too think you are being a little harsh in you evaluation. Everyday I enter the date on multiple lines to track income from numerous sources. It would be a mild improvement if when I entered an amount in a received column the date would auto fill. In fact I used to gripe that I had to navigate to the "Today" button to fill in the date. I felt I should not have to make that extra tap. So I kinda know where you are coming from. This extra tap did not make Numbers "useless".

By the way if you are entering data in a form in iOS all you need to do is swipe to hour, minute or second and tap "Now". Taps are saved!

It is amusing that you give me credit for giving you a non solution and no love for SG's actual one.

quinn

As a side note, I have discovered that simply tapping the month and moving on will complete with the current day. I don't have to tap on "day" and reveal the "Today" button anymore. Maybe a future version will enter the current time when you tap that month button.

Hi Quinn and SG,

An interesting topic! I may be missing something (I don't use iOS) but are you saying that NOW on iPad is a timestamp? On Numbers for Mac, NOW updates unless we fix it with Copy, Paste Formula Results.

Just my 2 cents worth 😉.

Regards,

Ian.

Thanks for the tip that in a form you can swipe to hour, minute or second and tap 'Now'. And that you can tap the month and move on. Good stuff!

SG

Hi Ian,

In Numbers for iOS there is a 'Now' button that appears on the pop-up keyboard after you tap the 'clock' icon and then hour, minute, or second. It inserts the value, not a formula. (In that sense it is functionally similar to the Automator Service I have posted elsewhere that inserts a date-time string.)

Not to be confused with the NOW() function, which works in Numbers for iOS just the way it does in Numbers on the Mac (i.e. automatically updates).

SG

Hi Ian,

NOW() works the same on iOS as it does on a Mac. If it did the timestamp thing Powly would be content.

There is an input screen that has a "Now" button (and a "Today" button) that will enter the current day and time. To get that functionality on a Mac we have to use SG's automator service.

quinn

edit: I see SG has it covered.

Hi Quinn and SG,

Cool 😎.

Good job this thread is still going. I am learning a lot 😉.

Regards,

Ian.