Apple iWork '08 - Manual (Page 62)

62 Chapter 2 Getting Started with Numbers
3 The value in the cell you just selected is derived using a formula that’s associated with
the cell. To see the formula, look at the Formula Bar.
The formula adds the value in two cells, which are highlighted using color in both the
table and the Formula Bar. In the formula, header row and header column names are
used to refer to the two cells. For example, Loan 3 Loan Principal is the cell at the
intersection of the column named Loan 3 and the row named Loan Principal.
Using header text to refer to cells makes formulas more readable. But you can also use
the letters and numbers in the reference tabs to refer to cells. For example, Loan 3 Loan
Principal and D2 refer to the same cell. To use letters and numbers instead of header
cell text, choose Numbers > Preferences, and then deselect “Use header cell names as
references.”
Loan 3 Loan Principal and D2 are called cell references. When you add a cell reference to
a formula, you first specify the column identifier (name or letter) and then specify the
row identifier (name or number).
The Formula Bar shows
the formula …
… that’s associated with
the selected cell.