I have 5 documents with multiple sheets per document. i am now trying to make a master document that can pull the contents of certain cells in those 5 documents for use in the new master document. i know i can do this in google docs, is this possible in numbers too?
Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)
ÇÇÇ's mention of coffee and scripts reminded me of a previous discussion of inter-document data transfer. I can't find the thread. But I did find a script. It transfers a value from a specified location in a source document to a specified location in a target (destination) document. It could be adapted to transfer multiple values.
To use:
The source and target documents have to be open.
SG
--copies value from one document and places it in another document
set valToCopy to getValueOfCell("MyDocName1.numbers", "MySheetName", "MyTableName", 2, 2)
setValueOfCell(valToCopy, "MyDocName2.numbers", "MySheetName2", "MyTableName2", 2, 2)
on getValueOfCell(docName, sheetName, tableName, rowNumber, colNumber)
try
tell application "Numbers"
tell document docName
tell sheet sheetName
tell table tableName
tell cellcolNumber of rowrowNumber
set res to value
end tell
end tell
end tell
end tell
end tell
return res
on error eMsg number eNum
error "Can't getValueOfCell: " & eMsg number eNum
end try
end getValueOfCell
on setValueOfCell(cellValue, docName, sheetName, tableName, rowNumber, colNumber)
try
tell application "Numbers"
tell document docName
tell sheet sheetName
tell table tableName
tell cellcolNumber of rowrowNumber
set value to cellValue
end tell
end tell
end tell
end tell
end tell
on error eMsg number eNum
error "Can't setValueOfCell: " & eMsg number eNum
end try
end setValueOfCell
--end of script
[ about out of coffee for today... ]
It occurs to me that if both docs are open, one could more easily just switch between & copy/paste normally (?)
Methinks that if I am understanding the issue correctly, moving the tables from the source docs to worksheets in the master doc is the solution [ Ian? ]. Whatever the case, I always favor Occam's Razor approach - fewest 'assertions' (here, steps to achieve) are best. Get it where Numbers works within its designed functionality
[ Washington Correspondents Dinner comedy rocked and interrupted this posting for a while - Ian, ya'll have anything like a "comedy roast of politicians & the press" Down Under (or Up Top as you downside uppers consider the world?) ]
Best Practices • stages of developing a workflow or deliverable
discovery, analysis, strategy, architecture/planning, design, production/testing/ delivery, maintenance
[ if you didn't do this way to begin with, to get it right, you always have to start over anyway ]
ChitlinsCC wrote:
It occurs to me that if both docs are open, one could more easily just switch between & copy/paste normally (?)
To transfer one value between two documents of course it's easier to just copy/paste. For multiple values from multiple documents a script (once written) can involve fewer steps.
The script here, of course, is just a simple demo of how one might approach the problem. (It's not easy to find this via a search.)
Writing a script (that works) can be complicated, just as getting some Numbers formulas to work can be complicated.
Installing a script is little more than copy-paste or (in the case of a script within an Automator Service) a double-click.
Using a script is simple, often replacing many "normal"/manual steps with a click of a 'run' button, a menu choice, or a keyboard shortcut.
SG
mornin' sgiii
I am going from memory of things read here (having slept a couple of times)
Answer to the OP's Q is no, not between docs - with the caveat that one CAN link formulaic stuff within the same doc, separate worksheets
GOAL(implied): is ease of use of existing tables - a "front end to the DBs" as it were = Master Document
SOLUTION: get the source data tables from the different docs into the Master - can't one just copy > paste an entire table, formulas and all?
Maybe I am overlooking something?
Bottom line is ease of use ongoing in OP's WorkFlow. Constantly running any (working) script sounds like extra work. [tooting own horn]> I have been a Lingo coder for a couple of decades, so scripting I know and love, but sometimes "needs analysis" point to there not being a scripting job to do - client happy (if not in for some work of his own), me no $$ except for consulting fee 😉
Like the "Numbers" character (mathematician) in Jurassic Park sed, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."
have a good Sunday
ÇÇÇ
Hi Carlo,
Are you still there?
carlo987 wrote:
I have 5 documents with multiple sheets per document. i am now trying to make a master document that can pull the contents of certain cells in those 5 documents for use in the new master document. i know i can do this in google docs, is this possible in numbers too?
Document 1 with multiple Sheets (tables) and a Summary table.
Those tables can be on separate Sheets if you want.
Repeat the Summary Table for each document.
Copy each Summary table and Menu > Edit > Paste Formula Results into a new Master Document and summarise in a Summary of Summaries table:
These tables can be on the same Sheet, or you could place Summary of Summaries on its own sheet.
I hope we haven't confused you.
Regards,
Ian.
Crystal clear to me, mate!
go to bed!
cya in few hours...
ÇÇÇ
is it possible to link cells from 1 numbers document to another?
