What is a .numbers file?
Apple Numbers Spreadsheet · Document · Apple · 2007
A .numbers file is a spreadsheet from Apple's Numbers app, part of the free iWork suite. It is a package format that opens on Mac, iPad, iPhone and iCloud, but not natively on Windows.
What is a .numbers file used for?
Numbers takes a free-form canvas approach to spreadsheets, with multiple tables and charts on one sheet. The .numbers file bundles all of that as a package.
As with Pages, Windows users open it through iCloud in a browser or ask for an Excel (.xlsx) or CSV export.
How to open a .numbers file
The .numbers format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .numbers file.
Windows
- iCloud Numbers (web)
- convert to XLSX first
macOS
- Apple Numbers
- Preview (quick look)
Linux
- iCloud Numbers (web)
Web
- iCloud.com Numbers
How to convert a .numbers file
You can convert a .numbers file to xlsx, csv, pdf using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.numbers file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .numbers file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for Numbers. For a full breakdown, see the Numbers file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 50 4B 03 04 | 0 | ZIP package (PK..) |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .numbers file?
A .numbers file is a spreadsheet from Apple's Numbers app, part of the free iWork suite. It is a package format that opens on Mac, iPad, iPhone and iCloud, but not natively on Windows.
How do I open a .numbers file on Windows?
Use iCloud.com Numbers in a browser, or ask the sender to export it as Excel (.xlsx) or CSV, which Windows spreadsheet apps open.
Can Excel open a .numbers file?
Not directly. Export it from Numbers to .xlsx first, then Excel opens it.
What app makes .numbers files?
Apple Numbers, the free spreadsheet app on Mac, iPad and iPhone and on iCloud.com.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: