The Numbers app is the default spreadsheet application on iPhones, iPads, and macOS. It's Apple's equivalent of the ever-popular Microsoft Excel spreadsheet application. If you own any of these devices, you likely use Numbers to work with tables and spreadsheets. However, if you also use non-Apple devices, you'll run into issues using Numbers files.

As a result, you will need to convert them into a more popular file format to avoid compatibility issues. Here, we'll cover the different ways to export your Numbers files as Excel spreadsheets.

Why Should You Convert Numbers Files?

A vast majority of people prefer and use Microsoft Excel for working on spreadsheets. Its file format is extremely popular that even Apple natively supports Excel documents in the Numbers app. However, Excel doesn't recognize .numbers files from Apple, causing compatibility issues with spreadsheets that are shared with non-Apple users.

Since the iWork productivity suite is exclusive to Apple devices, file conversion becomes mandatory when switching to a Windows or Android device. To continue working on the spreadsheet, you'll need to convert it to .xls or .xlsx file format, both of which are recognized by popular programs like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.

Method 1: How to Convert Apple Numbers Files to Excel Documents on iPhone & iPad

We'll start with the Numbers app for iOS and iPadOS devices, since a lot of people who own them use a Windows PC too. Assuming you have the Numbers app installed on your device from the App Store, follow these simple instructions to export a spreadsheet as an Excel document:

  1. Launch the Numbers app and open the document you want to export.
  2. Tap on the More button, which is indicated with a three-dot icon.
  3. Next, select Export from the pop-up menu.
  4. Here, choose Excel for the exported file format.

At this point, you'll be prompted to share the spreadsheet. The iOS share sheet will show up on your screen, which you can use to either share the converted document with your contacts or save it to the Files app.

Related: Advanced Tips for Pages, Numbers, and Keynote

Method 2: How to Convert Apple Numbers Files to Excel Documents on a Mac

Although the overall procedure is pretty similar to the iOS/iPadOS version of the Numbers app, the steps slightly vary for the macOS application since it's a completely different operating system. Here's what you need to do, assuming you have Numbers already installed on your Mac:

  1. Launch the Numbers app on your Mac and open the document you want to convert.
  2. Click on File from the menu bar and then choose Export to > Excel from the dropdown menu.
  3. You'll have the option to add a password to your converted document. Click Next to continue.
  4. Select your desired name and location for the converted file and click Export.
Export to Excel in Numbers app

It's that easy. You can now open this file in Microsoft Word or Google Sheets and continue working on the spreadsheet. Additionally, you can also choose older file formats from Advanced Options during the export to ensure the converted file is compatible with older versions of Microsoft Excel.

Read More: How to Organize Your Life With Numbers for Mac

Method 3: How to Convert Apple Numbers Files to Excel Documents on iCloud

You can use this simple method if you don't have access to an Apple device with the Numbers app. All you need is an Apple account to access iCloud's web client from any device with a web browser. Let's check out the steps:

  1. Head over to iCloud.com using a web browser and sign in with your Apple account.
  2. Select Numbers from the list of apps shown on the home page.
  3. Find the file you want to convert and click on the three-dots icon that shows up when you hover the cursor over it.
  4. Now, select Download a Copy from the context menu.
  5. Choose Excel as the download format, and you're good to go.
Downloading a copy of Numbers file from iCloud

After conversion, your file will automatically download to your device in the Excel file format. If you don't have an Apple account to use iCloud for file conversion, you can also use third-party online file converters like CloudConvert to convert Numbers documents to Excel spreadsheets quickly.

Quickly Convert Your Numbers Files Into Excel Spreadsheets

Whether you have access to an Apple device or not, you can easily convert your Numbers documents to the more popular Excel format using one of these methods. The iCloud method is ideal if you're already on a Windows PC.

However, using the Numbers app to export documents in Excel format is preferable when you want to quickly share your file with a colleague who doesn't use an Apple device.