iWork '09: The Missing Manual

Instant Calculations

Before you add a single formula to your table, Numbers is already spoilin’ to do its math, running numbers even when you don’t ask for them. The action happens in the Instant Calculation pane at the bottom left of the document window, where Numbers offers constant commentary on your current selection of cells. When you select two or more cells containing numeric values, the Instant Calculation pane lights up to show a set of tallies for the selected cells. Figure 20-2 shows the Instant Calculation pane in action.

Tip

Select multiple cells by ⌘-clicking, Shift-clicking, or Shift-dragging across the cells to include. You can also select an entire row or column by clicking its reference tab. For more on selecting table elements, see Adding a Table.

Figure 20-2. When you select two or more cells containing numeric values, the Instant Calculation pane shows the sum, average, minimum value, maximum value, and overall count (the number of cell values) of those values. Empty cells or cells with non-numeric values are ignored. Although that’s what you’d expect for most of these number-focused calculations, it might surprise you for count: When you select a bunch of text cells, count says you have no values selected. It can see only numbers, dates, and times.

You can select any combination of cells to make the Instant Calculation pane do its thing. Choose multiple columns or ...