Stop Numbers opening Format tab by default every time I open a spreadsheet

Question

Stop Numbers opening Format tab by default every time I open a spreadsheet

Numbers is my default spreadsheet program and mostly I like it. However there is one big annoyance - every time I open a spreadsheet the Format panel is displayed as well, reducing the visibility of the sheet significantly.

I am an accountant and open a lot of spreadsheets from my clients. The only discussion I could find on this topic was here but it seems to address existing spreadsheets that have been saved, not new ones.

I can't find a setting that I can change to stop the Format panel opening every time. Is there a way?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 13.6

Posted on Oct 27, 2024 6:48 PM

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Answer 1

Yellowbox

Level 7

21,197 points

Oct 30, 2024 3:47 AM in response to ScrabbleChick

Hi ScrabbleChick,

I tested that reply that you referenced as "here": Disable Format bar open at launch - Apple Community and it works!

I prefer that the Format Panel opens by default. Otherwise, how would we or (more importantly) new users know how to format a table, cell, text, graph or arrange/organise objects on a Sheet? Also, that panel changes to the Functions Panel when we type = in a cell.

I find that panel very helpful and it is easy to dismiss it.

Regards,

Ian.

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Answer 2

SGIII

Level 8

36,134 points

Oct 27, 2024 8:34 PM in response to ScrabbleChick

You could try giving feedback to Apple via Numbers > Provide Numbers Feedback in your menu.

It's possible, though, that other users (including me) like the current behavior because is so easy to close and open the sidebar and we don't like clutter in the user interface.

SG

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Answer 3

SGIII

Level 8

36,134 points

Oct 30, 2024 4:55 AM in response to ScrabbleChick

ScrabbleChick wrote:

I'd really love not to have to do this every time I open a spreadsheet.

It turns out you don't have to do it every time! Option-command-i to close the sidebar (or click Format in the toolbar). Close the document. Reopen it.

A document remembers whether or not you had the sidebar open the last time you saved it.

So if you always want the sidebar closed when you open a document, then just make sure you save it with the sidebar closed.

SG

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Answer 4

Oct 30, 2024 12:40 PM in response to ScrabbleChick

Thanks all, I appreciate your suggestions. My main problem is that I open a lot of spreadsheets that I only interact with once so saving the setting and re-opening is more work. It sounds like there isn't a solution for me now. I'll make the suggestion in feedback, as suggested.

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Answer 5

SGIII

Level 8

36,134 points

Oct 27, 2024 8:18 PM in response to ScrabbleChick

Option-command-i will hide or show the sidebar. Quick and easy.

SG

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Answer 6

Oct 27, 2024 8:24 PM in response to SGIII

Appreciate that tip, thanks, but I'd really love not to have to do this every time I open a spreadsheet.

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