Apple Numbers POP-UP menu maximum 250 entry

Hello,


I planned to convert my sales system from Microsoft Excel to Apple Numbers. Definitely on MacOS the Numbers working better. At this moment my database has approximately 2000 customers. I want to use the POP-UP menu option on Numbers to select my customers. Unfortunately but the POP-UP menu doesn't accept more entries than 250. What i can gonna do with this?


Thank you for all sugestions.


Regards.

Posted on Jun 18, 2023 9:00 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 18, 2023 9:25 AM

If in menu at Numbers > Preferences you turn on 'Show suggestions when editing table cells then when you start typing in a column Numbers will make suggestions based on the values already entered in that column.


You could try putting the 2000 customer names lower down in the column, out of sight. Then when you start typing in a cell visible near the top Numbers will offer you a choice, similar to a Pop-Up Menu.


SG

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 18, 2023 9:25 AM in response to djdexxpl

If in menu at Numbers > Preferences you turn on 'Show suggestions when editing table cells then when you start typing in a column Numbers will make suggestions based on the values already entered in that column.


You could try putting the 2000 customer names lower down in the column, out of sight. Then when you start typing in a cell visible near the top Numbers will offer you a choice, similar to a Pop-Up Menu.


SG

Jun 18, 2023 9:09 PM in response to djdexxpl

djdexxpl wrote:

My clients list is in the second spreadsheet. After selecting the client from the list in the other columns you have more details e.g. their address, phone no etc.


You could copy-paste the client names from the second spreadsheet into the lower cells of the relevant column. Then when want to enter a name higher in the table you just start typing and you will get relevant autocomplete suggestions. This works well here with 2000 names. Choose a name, and in the other columns use XLOOKUP to look up associated details for that customer from the second table.


SG


Jun 19, 2023 5:58 AM in response to Badunit

Here is another idea, using "show suggestions" but in a lookup table. I put the lookup table on the same sheet as the customer list only for the demonstration. The lookup table would actually be on whatever sheet you need it on. The first screenshot is how it would look, the second is the set up.







The lookup table (Table 2) needs to be longer than the customer table (Table 1) so when new customers are added, they will automatically appear in the table. How many extra rows depends on how fast you are adding new customers.


Table 2 formulas

Column A except for the last row =Table 1::A

Column B all rows is ROW()=ROWS(B)


Set up a filter on column B to show only rows that are TRUE

hide column B


To use it, start typing in the cell. When you see the name you want, click on it. Copy/paste it from there to where you need it.



Jun 18, 2023 11:33 AM in response to djdexxpl

A pop up might not be a great choice anyway. It is good for a list that is static but not one where you'll regularly be adding new items to the list, especially if you want them to be alphabetical. Adding new customers to your customer table will not make them automatically appear in the pop up. Excel's data validation method of making "pop ups" is much much better for this purpose. Even then, 2000+ entries is a very long list to scroll through. It might be easier to type the name.


How about this as a method of operation:

  1. Flip to the customer sheet/table,
  2. Find them there. This will let you see all their info so you can be sure you choose the correct customer (some will undoubtedly have the same names).
  3. Copy the customer number
  4. Paste it into the appropriate cell in the other sheet. The rest of the customer data will be populated with XLOOKUP formulas.


As another idea, it should be possible to have a search table where you type their name (or part of it) and it brings up a list of customers that match. Then you can copy the correct customer number from there. That might actually be better so you are never touching the actual customer table except when adding to it. Someone might Paste or Cut instead of Copy when getting the customer number from the customer table.

Jun 18, 2023 9:47 AM in response to SGIII

I think I know what you mean and I don’t think it will meet my expectations. My clients list is in the second spreadsheet. After selecting the client from the list in the other columns you have more details e.g. their address, phone no etc. I am not sure if the suggestion will works this way. It’s like a simple data base.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Apple Numbers POP-UP menu maximum 250 entry

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.