Use iTunes to transfer files

You can use iTunes on your computer to directly transfer spreadsheets between your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch and your computer. This is useful for transferring spreadsheets when you aren’t using iCloud.

Transfer a spreadsheet from your computer

  1. Connect your iOS device to your computer, then open iTunes on your computer.

    After a moment, your iOS device appears on the right side of the iTunes toolbar.

  2. In iTunes, select your iOS device, then click Apps in the toolbar.

  3. Scroll to the bottom of the window, then select Numbers (under File Sharing).

    If you don’t see the File Sharing section, make sure you’re not scrolling the Apps list.

  4. Click the Add button below the Numbers Documents list, select the file, then click Open.

  5. Locate and select the spreadsheet, then click Add.

    The spreadsheet appears in the Numbers Documents list in iTunes.

  6. Select the spreadsheet in iTunes, then click Sync.

  7. Open Numbers on your iOS device.

  8. In the spreadsheet manager, tap Add button, then tap Copy from iTunes.

  9. Tap the spreadsheet.

    When the transfer is complete, the spreadsheet appears in the spreadsheet manager.

Numbers can open spreadsheets that were saved using some types of file encryption available in Microsoft Office ’97 or later. If you can’t open an encrypted Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, try changing the type of encryption or the encryption options used, then save it again before opening it in Numbers.

Transfer a spreadsheet to your computer

  1. Open Numbers on your device, then do one of the following:

    • If the spreadsheet is open: Tap Share menu button (on iPad, tap Share menu button if the spreadsheet is shared on iCloud), then tap Send a Copy.

    • If the spreadsheet is closed: Tap Share menu button in the spreadsheet manager, tap Send a Copy, then tap the spreadsheet you want to transfer.

  2. Tap the spreadsheet format you want to export: Numbers, PDF, Excel, or CSV.

  3. Tap iTunes.

  4. Connect your iOS device to your computer (or use iTunes Wi-Fi Sync) and open iTunes on your computer. After a moment, your iOS device appears on the right side of the iTunes toolbar.

  5. In iTunes, select your iOS device, then click Apps (in the top bar next to Summary).

  6. Scroll to the bottom of the window, then select Numbers (under File Sharing).

    If you don’t see the File Sharing section, try expanding the iTunes window and scrolling.

  7. Select the spreadsheet, click Save to, choose a location, then click Save to.