Depending upon permissions the spreadsheet owner sets, iCloud users can subsequently access and even edit Numbers files using their Apple or Windows web browser.

With no licensing costs and native iPhone, iPad, and Mac compatibility, the platform deserves attention.

If youre new to Numbers, or if youre considering replacing your offices Excel dependency with Numbers, here are three keys to maximizing usage of the app within your firm.

Master the basics Your users may be familiar with Microsoft Excel, but they may not know where to find commonly accessed features in Apples Numbers.

Add Rows and Columns: Add a row within Numbers by right-clicking a cell within a corresponding row and selecting Add Row Above or Add Row Beneath.

Add a column within Numbers by right-clicking a cell within a corresponding column and selecting Add Column Before or Add Column After.

Display the Inspector pane by clicking within a cell or clicking View from the Numbers menu bar and selecting Inspector and then Show Inspector, if the Inspector view was previously hidden.

Configure Cell Text: Highlight the corresponding cell(s), display the Inspector pane, ensure the Format icon is selected, and click the Text tab to configure font, alignment, text wrapping, and spacing.

FreezeUnfreeze Header Row: Freeze and unfreeze header rows by highlighting the row number that appears on the left of the Numbers application, clicking the down arrow that appears and selecting Freeze Headers Rows to check or uncheck the selection as you desire.

Alternatively, you can highlight the cell where the total should be placed and click the Insert icon that appears within the Numbers toolbar and then select the corresponding operation--be sure to double-check and confirm Numbers calculates the correct cells (which the application highlights by default).

Note: You can adjust the chosen cells by double-clicking the cell in which the operation appears, manually adjusting the described cells, and clicking the Green checkmark to save the change.

Insert Chart: Highlight the corresponding cells and click the Chart icon within the Numbers toolbar, and then select the type of chart you wish to create.

Figure B.

SEE: Top 20 Apple keyboard shortcuts for business users (free PDF) (TechRepublic) 2.

Leverage Excel compatibility Numbers is compatible with Microsoft Excel.

If youre creating spreadsheets in collaboration with Excel users, or if youre sending your Numbers file to a Microsoft Excel user, you can save a Numbers file as an Excel spreadsheet or export the Numbers file as an Excel spreadsheet to ensure recipients dont experience any trouble.

Complete step-by-step instructions for saving a Numbers file in Microsofts Excel format are available on TechRepublic.

Note: While most spreadsheet elements translate well between both platforms, including commenting and conditional formatting, anomalies sometimes arise; for example, complex table elements and certain fonts may not translate perfectly.

For a complete list of compatibility features and behaviors, view the comprehensive Excel-to-Numbers chart Apple maintains on its site.

Tap iCloud integration Apple has integrated all iWork applications--Pages, Numbers, and Keynote--within iCloud.

Apples iCloud users will find separate directories created by default for storing each applications files.

I initially found the Numbers behavior of storing files by default within the iCloud Numbers directory a little presumptuous.

However, as Ive increasingly become dependent upon cloud services to share, view, and edit spreadsheets using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Windows PC, the feature has proven helpful and saved time.

Worksheet Maker App For Mac