Basically, spreadsheets maintain values (and capabilities) in cells; a cell is the intersection of a selected row and a selected column. Databases maintain values in data; you’ll be able to consider a report as a row of cells in an outlined desk of rows and columns.
To get the impact you need in Numbers or Excel or Calc, your references should be cell-to-cell, quite than rows referenced/associated to one another by some shared identifier. And an important facet is that, not like what’s doable with databases, spreadsheet cell references are one-way. A reference in cell X to indicate the worth in cell Y doesn’t help you modify cell Y by altering cell X – as an alternative if you happen to change cell X, you break its reference to cell Y.
If in Sheet 1 you desire a row to indicate values from a row in Sheet 2, probably the most fundamental manner in spreadsheets is to have a method in every cell within the row of Sheet 1 that references the cell within the row of Sheet 2 whose worth you need.
Happily Numbers and the opposite spreadsheet apps present methods to keep away from tediously typing formulation in a number of cells. In Numbers check out the menu command Desk -> Autofill Cells. Upon getting the primary cell in Sheet 1 appropriately displaying the cell worth you need from Sheet 2, you’ll be able to lengthen the reference throughout the row. There will probably be a studying curve about cell references, together with use or avoidance of the greenback signal (‘$’) if you happen to’re not already aware of that.
It is doable to construct complicated interactive purposes in Numbers or different spreadsheets, involving a number of information with a number of worksheets. However the work is sort of totally different intimately from that for databases. And a few options don’t instantly translate throughout the 2 approaches.
I do not imply to discourage you from trying to get that you really want from Numbers. In case your objective is to have a single editable place for every little bit of uncooked knowledge, with the remainder of the spreadsheet offering summaries or calculations from that knowledge, you are good.
For instance, to estimate the prices of a mailing, I keep worth tables for elements resembling graphic designers, print retailers, mailing providers, postage charges, and many others., which fluctuate by amount & format. Every value issue’s worth desk is by itself sheet. Then on an Estimate sheet, I’ve cells by which I enter a amount, and cells with formulation that multiply that amount by the suitable prices within the assorted worth tables, and in addition cells that add these all as much as the full prices for the mailing.
