Review of iWork Numbers for engineers
To do this I recreated a standard spreadsheet I use on a regular basis for designing an unreinforced concrete section under axial load and bending. This spreadsheet allows me to check all of the basic features that I need in a spreadsheet for day to day use. It doesn't include some of the more advanced features that I use, but I know that Numbers is missing scripting and advanced plotting. As version 1.0, I don't expect these features and I know that Numbers will not be able to do everything I need it to do, but hopefully this will improve with time and newer versions.
First of all, here is the spreadsheet I created.
So how did I get on?
Well first of all the separate tables. It took me a
few minutes to get used to them, but as soon as I
did they are much more intuitive to use. You can
concentrate totally on the table you are working
on, forgetting about all the others. Once you've
done the work setting up the spreadsheets you can
then concentrate on how to lay them out. It really
helps focus on what you are trying to achieve.
What is ultimately more significant is how the
table can be modularised. To test this out I added
another table to the spreadsheet which took into
account reinforcement in the section. It was really
easy, just add the table. What this means is that a
library of standard tables can be created and just
bolted together. Not only is this quick and easy,
but if a standard library of verified tables is
created, all you have to worry about when checking
a new spreadsheet is how the table have been bolted
together and not whether the contents of each and
every cell is correct. The whole table concept,
from the way they work to the potential ability to
create a library of standard tables will make far
more transparent and accurate spreadsheets.
The biggest problem I have with numbers is in the
graph on my spreadsheet. The amount of control that
you have over the type and format of the
spreadsheet is an order of magnitude worse than it
is with Excel. You can create beautiful looking
graphs and charts, but the options are limited. I
wanted to create a straight line between the points
on my spreadsheet, but could only create a series
of points. It is something that I will definitely
be looking to Apple to improve in future versions.
My last gripe is a well known one, but there is a
lack of support for either plugins or scripting.
This is not surprising as most 1.0 applications
released by Apple have limited support and things
do improve with time. I hope that Applescript can
be added for version 2.0, because the possibility
of Applescript interfacing between Omnigraffle and
Numbers is well worth waiting for. Once this
happens the possibilities for quickly automatically
generating standard plots and diagrams will mean
there is a huge step forward in my productivity.
I think numbers is a big step forward for iWork,
and a big step forward for spreadsheets. I will use
it, but I have no doubt excel will be my tool of
choice, but I look forward to seeing what can be
achieved with version 2.0.