Enter text and numbers in Numbers on Mac
You can add content to a table in several ways. You can type directly into cells, copy and paste content from somewhere else, or let Numbers complete patterns for you with autofill. You can always edit or clear a cell after you add content to it.
Note: If you can’t modify a table, make sure it’s unlocked. Click the table, then choose Arrange > Unlock (from the Arrange menu at the top of your screen).
Add, edit, and delete content in cells
Add content to an empty cell: Click the cell, then start typing.
As you type, Numbers shows a list of autocomplete suggestions. This list includes any text previously entered in that column, excluding header or footer text. Press the Tab key to scroll through the list. When the suggestion you want is selected, press the Return key to enter it in the cell. You can turn autocomplete suggestions off or on in Numbers preferences.
To insert a line break in a cell, press Option-Return.
Paste paragraphs into a cell: Copy the paragraphs you want to paste, double-click the cell, then choose Edit > Paste (from the Edit menu at the top of the screen).
Edit content: Double-click a cell to make the insertion point appear, then type. To move the insertion point, click where you want it, then type.
Replace content: Click the cell, then start typing. The existing content is overwritten.
Delete all content: Click the cell, then press Delete on your keyboard.
See Format dates, currency, and more in Numbers on Mac to learn how to set specific data formats for cells.
Turn autocomplete suggestions off or on
As you type in a cell, Numbers can show a list of autocomplete suggestions. This list includes any text previously entered in that column, but not header or footer text. Autocomplete is on by default, but you can turn it off or on at any time.
Choose Numbers > Preferences (from the Numbers menu at the top of your screen).
Click General at the top of the preferences window.
In the Editing section, select or deselect “Show suggestions when editing table cells.”
Show a cell’s row and column
You can temporarily highlight a cell’s row and column in blue as you move the pointer over a table. In a large table, this can help you identify column and row references for specific cells.
Hold down the Option key while you move the pointer over a cell.