You can bring an Excel file into Apple's Numbers app in a couple of straightforward ways, since Numbers can open and convert .xlsx and .xls files directly.
On Mac:
- Open the Numbers app.
- Choose File > Open, or in the Numbers startup window click "Open."
- Locate and select the Excel file (.xlsx or .xls), then click Open.
- Numbers automatically converts the file into a Numbers document. Formulas, formatting, and multiple sheets/tabs are generally preserved, though some advanced Excel features (certain chart types, macros, complex conditional formatting, or pivot tables) may not convert perfectly.
- Once opened, choose File > Save to save it as a native Numbers file, or keep working with it and export back to Excel format later if needed via File > Export To > Excel.
You can also simply double-click an .xlsx file in Finder if Numbers is set as the default app for that file type, or drag the Excel file's icon onto the Numbers icon in the Dock.
On iPad or iPhone:
- Open the Numbers app.
- Tap the "+" or browse icon to open the document manager.
- Navigate to the location of the Excel file (iCloud Drive, On My iPad/iPhone, or a connected cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive).
- Tap the Excel file to open it; Numbers converts it automatically.
- Use the Share button or File menu options to save the converted copy or export it back to Excel format.
On iCloud.com (web):
- Sign in to iCloud.com and open Numbers for iCloud.
- Click the "+" or Upload button in the document manager.
- Select "Upload a Document," choose your Excel file, and it will convert and open automatically.
In all cases, it's good practice to review the converted file for formatting quirks, especially with complex formulas, macros, or charts, since some Excel-specific features don't have exact Numbers equivalents.