Getting Started with Numbers on Mac: Lesson 7 - Understanding the concept of Tables and inserting multiple tables on a Sheet

In this episode of the AppleVis Podcast, Gaurav returns with Lesson 7 in the ongoing series on mastering Numbers, Apple’s free spreadsheet app for Mac.

This lesson focuses on organizing data efficiently in Apple Numbers. Unlike Excel’s single-grid layout, Numbers offers a more flexible, canvas-like approach where multiple tables can coexist on a single sheet. Gaurav demonstrates how to manage tables for different quarters of budget data, making it easier to structure and access your information.

Key Concepts Covered

Understanding Tables in Numbers

• Numbers allows multiple tables per sheet, treating each sheet as a flexible workspace
• Distinct from Excel’s traditional grid-based format

Using the Sheet Navigator

• Access the window spots menu with VO + U
• Navigate through and interact with sheets
• Rename, duplicate, or delete tables as needed

Working with Multiple Tables

• Add multiple tables to a single sheet
• Use VO and arrow keys to move between them
• Rename each table for clarity and structure

Managing Tables Effectively

• Customize titles and captions
• Remove unnecessary rows and columns
• Organize data by period (e.g., Quarter 1, Quarter 2)

Advantages of Using Multiple Tables

• Quickly shift between distinct data sets
• Enhance visual clarity, especially for sighted users

Transcript

Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.

Gaurav: Okay folks, so in this lesson we are going to discuss about tables. Now tables are different tables you can have on your sheet in Numbers. And what you want to understand is that unlike Microsoft Excel, Numbers doesn't treat each sheet as a massive grid. It instead treats it like a blank canvas where you can have multiple tables. In Excel, it is treated as one massive grid.

Gaurav: Now I'll show you what I mean by that and why it's useful to work with various tables on your canvas on a sheet in Numbers. So I'm back on my Numbers table. I'm going to hit VO plus U for umbrella to open the window spots menu.

GauravVoiceOver: Sheet navigator tab group. I'm going to go here, hit enter.

VoiceOver: Sheet navigator tab group.

Gaurav: I'm going to VO shift down arrow to interact.

VoiceOver: In budget sheet selected tab.

Gaurav: Budget sheet. That's the name I've given to this sheet where we have our January, February, March budget. Here I can hit VO shift M for menu or do the contextual click.

GauravV/oiceOver: table one rename ellipsis duplicate show sheet options cut sheet copy sheet paste sheet delete table one rename ellipsis so here currently i have various options of what options i have with this sheet i'm just going to rename it duplicate rename ellipsis you are currently i'm going to rename it to

Gaurav…