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How to convert Apple Numbers to Excel

Apple Numbers is a convenient spreadsheet application included with macOS, iOS, and iPadOS for free. While this makes it handy for Apple users, it can make it difficult to share a workbook with a non-Apple user.

Because you can use Microsoft Excel on both Mac and Windows as well as mobile and the web, this makes it a more widely available application than Numbers. To make things simpler for your collaborators or viewers, we’ll show you how to convert Apple Numbers to Excel.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Mac, iPhone, or iPad

  • Apple Numbers

Convert Numbers to Excel on Mac

You can easily convert your Numbers workbook to an Excel file by exporting it in just a few steps.

Step 1: Open your workbook in Numbers and select File from the menu bar.

Step 2: Select Export to and choose Excel in the pop-out menu.

Export to Excel in the Numbers File menu.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: When the Export Your Spreadsheet window opens, confirm that you’re on the Excel tab.

Step 4: Next to Excel worksheets, pick either One per sheet or One per table depending on if you want to create a worksheet for each sheet or each table in the workbook.

If you choose One per table, you can optionally check the box to include a summary worksheet. This worksheet contains links to all tables for quick access.

Export selections from Numbers to Excel.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: You can then check the box to require a password to open the exported workbook. If you choose this option, then enter the password, verify it, and include a hint if you like.

Password option for exporting to Excel.
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Step 6: Select Next, choose a location to save the file, optionally edit the name and add tags, and pick Export.

Then, head to the location where you saved the file to open it. From there, you can share or send the Excel workbook like any other file on Mac.

Name and location dialog box for Numbers.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Convert Numbers to Excel on iPhone and iPad

If you work with Numbers on your iPhone or iPad, you can export a workbook to Excel similarly to Mac.

Step 1: Open your workbook in Numbers and select the three dots on the top right.

Step 2: Choose Export and pick Excel. Then, select Done.

Step 3: Select One per sheet or One per table. If you choose the latter, optionally turn on the toggle to include a summary worksheet.

Step 4: Pick Export.

If there are any changes to your workbook due to the export, you’ll see those next. Select Continue.

Step 5: Choose a location to save, send, or share the exported file and follow any subsequent prompts to do so.

By converting an Apple Numbers workbook, those you work or share with can easily open the file in Excel.

For more, look at how to convert Excel to Google Sheets.

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Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, Lifewire, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog…
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