Using a Mac to do Audit forms???

Scaredy_Cat_3

I wonder if any experienced Mac users out there can help me please? I have done 3 audits so far where the files are sent to me as excel documents. I have to open them in Numbers (the Mac equivalent), and then try to send them back completed.

The first one I tried (for the company starting with A, who don't like their name to be mentioned), went as a zip file and they couldn't open it. In the end I had to use my son's PC and do the whole thing again in Excel.

Second attempt was with Customer Perspectives, so slightly different I think, but still excel. Anyway, I sent that one as a pdf file and they said it was fine.

Now, today I'm doing another one for the company that starts with an A - so I sent it as a pdf because that worked for customer perspectives. However, I had a reply saying they couldn't read half the comments.

I'm not at all techie, struggling a bit with the technology here - I never really used excel even when I did have a PC so it's all a bit alien to me. I just wanted to ask if anyone else uses a Mac and how you send the audit reports back?

Thank you

briona

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

I wonder if any experienced Mac users out there can help me please? I have done 3 audits so far where the files are sent to me as excel documents. I have to open them in Numbers (the Mac equivalent), and then try to send them back completed.

I'm not at all techie, struggling a bit with the technology here - I never really used excel even when I did have a PC so it's all a bit alien to me. I just wanted to ask if anyone else uses a Mac and how you send the audit reports back?

I don't have iWork on my Mac (I use Microsoft Office for Mac instead) but have you tried exporting the data from Numbers as a .xls file? To check if it works, after you've done that, open it on your son's PC and re-save it so it's a proper Excel file!

FROM APPLE'S WEBSITE:

Sharing your spreadsheets.
Since you can export spreadsheets created in Numbers in the Excel .xls format. Excel users on either a Mac or Windows PC can open your exported Numbers documents. You can also export your documents in PDF or CSV format. If you’d like to publish your spreadsheets on the Internet, send them to iWeb as a PDF or Numbers document.

Hope that helps

Briona

Scaredy_Cat_3

Thanks - that would be useful if I understood it! I'm a complete thicko, I'm afraid! What is an xls file???

When I go to save the document it doesn't give me any options on format. The only way I can make it pdf is if I click on print and then at the bottom of the page there is an option to save as pdf. I've never seen xls.

Sorry to be so completely thick. I would need to be talked through it step by step.

briona

Ok, firstly a .xls file is the file name extension used by all Excel documents, just as a .pdf file is the file name extension used by all Acrobat documents and .doc is the file name extension used by all Word documents. Not all files show the extension so don't worry if you can't see it – as long as the file icon is recognisable as a file for a particular programme. Am I making any sense?! :P

The info I read on Apple's website is for iWork 08 – are you using that version or an older one? If you bought your Mac this year, I'm guessing it's that version!

I think you need to look for something in the FILE menu like EXPORT or EXPORT AS to get the options to save it as an Excel file. Without having the programme in front of me, it's difficult to advise!

EDIT: Got it! It does require the EXPORT option. Tutorial below (printing & sharing).

http://www.apple.com/iwork/tutorials/#numbers-share-40

Scaredy_Cat_3

Wow! I had no idea that option was there! And thanks for the simple explanation!! I've just sent the document through again using that 'export' option, so I'm waiting to hear if it's worked. Fingers crossed!

Thanks again!

Scaredy_Cat_3

Just a quick update - looks like it worked!!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

That is such a weight off my mind, knowing I will be able to do these excel reports with ease in the future!