Are you struggling to use Apple‘s Numbers app but wish you had access to your trusted Excel tools? Set Excel as your default spreadsheet program with this easy-to-follow guide tailored for Mac users.
You‘ll learn step-by-step how to open Excel every time, bypassing Numbers completely. I‘ll also compare the two apps so you can decide which works best based on your needs. Read on to take control of your spreadsheet situation!
The Key Differences: Excel vs. Numbers
Excel has long dominated the spreadsheet space, especially in business settings. But Apple‘s sleek Numbers app offers an alternative for Mac users. Here‘s an at-a-glance overview of both programs:
| Microsoft Excel | Apple Numbers |
| – Advanced data analysis tools | – Templates for visual appeal |
| – Robust formatting options | – Streamlined functionality |
| – Trusted by data professionals | – Great for home/basic office use |
| – Cross-platform compatibility | – iCloud sync built-in |
As this table shows, Excel surpasses Numbers in crunching large datasets thanks to features like:
- PivotTables – Instantly filter, sort, group and sum numerical data for insights
- Advanced formulas – Tools like VLOOKUP connect data across multiple tables
- Forecasting tools – Predict trends with moving averages or exponential smoothing
- Visualizations – Charts and graphs to spot patterns
But Numbers shines when ease-of-use and appearance are priorities over hardcore data functionality.
Step-by-Step: Making Excel the Default
Follow the 5 simples steps below to open Excel by default instead of Numbers every time you click a spreadsheet file:
Step 1
Make sure you have Excel installed. If not, get it here.
Step 2
Open Finder and click any spreadsheet file, like a .xlsx Excel sheet or .csv file.
Step 3
Right click the file and select ‘Get Info‘ to see options for that specific file.
Step 4
Under ‘Open With‘ choose ‘Microsoft Excel‘ from the menu.
Step 5
Click ‘Change All‘ to set Excel as the default across all your spreadsheet files.
Refer to the screenshots below if you need a visual guide for any step:
And voila! From now on, whenever you open spreadsheet files Excel will launch instead of Numbers.
Extra Assistance
Still struggling? Watch this helpful step-by-step video walking through the exact same process:
Let me know if any part of the process gives you trouble! I‘m happy to clarify or provide additional tips.
Recommended Reading
Check out these History-Computer articles next for more Mac shortcuts:
I hope this insider‘s guide helps you start relying on Excel‘s advanced features rather than Numbers limited tools. Let me know if you have any other questions!
