Numbers on iPad selects headings instead of cell values in formulas

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Level 1

4 points

Numbers on iPad selects headings instead of cell values in formulas

I am using Numbers on my iPad, but recently for some reason when I try to use formulas, as I select a cell or cells it picks up the heading and not just the values in the cell/s.

I didn’t change any setting intentionally that I know of, but as best as I can tell since it started doing this it will not present the results properly and it appears like this, taking up multiple cells etc. - See Image below.

Maybe this has nothing to do with it, and I am doing something else wrong, any advice appreciated.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: iPad Numbers picking up cell headings

iPad Pro (3rd generation)

Posted on Jul 14, 2025 5:47 AM

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Answer 1

Badunit

Level 7

29,640 points

Jul 14, 2025 7:01 AM in response to __Anon__

If the cells you are selecting are in a different table from the formula, it will include the table name (not "heading") as part of the cell reference. It has always been that way.

Is that the formula you are meaning to write or are you trying to sum those two ranges of cells, which requires the SUM function not just cell references?

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Answer 2

__Anon__ Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 14, 2025 2:22 PM in response to Badunit

Thank you for your reply, I have since realised that I now need to include the ‘SUM’ function before selecting cells.

It does seem that something has changed as previously Numbers seemed to default to the ‘SUM’ function without me having to select it.

Regardless I have now got it doing what it should.

Thank you once again for taking the time to reply.

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Answer 3

Badunit

Level 7

29,640 points

Jul 14, 2025 3:30 PM in response to __Anon__

I thought I saw that, too, with version 14 but now every time I start a formula by selecting a range of cells it automatically puts it into the SUM function. Works the same for Mac or iOS. Makes me wonder if I really saw it not do it before.

I don't use the iOS version other than when testing things here. What I'm trying to figure out is how to edit a formula in the iOS version other than deleting it and starting over. I seem to be unable to tap in the formula bar to edit anything. Like if I want to change a plus to a minus, I cannot tap in the formula bar to change it.

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