---
title: ".numbers file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .numbers file is an Apple Numbers Spreadsheet. Apple's spreadsheet format — Apple devices and iCloud only. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/numbers/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .numbers files

**.numbers file: Apple Numbers Spreadsheet**

Apple's spreadsheet format — Apple devices and iCloud only.

## What opens a .numbers file

- **Windows:** iCloud.com Numbers (in a browser)
- **macOS:** Numbers (built in)
- **Linux:** iCloud.com Numbers (in a browser)
- **In a browser:** iCloud.com Numbers

## What a .numbers file is

Numbers files are zipped bundles written by Apple's spreadsheet app, which organises a sheet as a canvas holding multiple tables rather than one endless grid. Nothing on Windows or Linux opens them natively; iCloud.com in a browser will, and can export to Excel or PDF. That canvas model is also why a Numbers sheet exported to .xlsx often comes out as several separate Excel sheets.

## Converting it

A .numbers file is commonly converted to .xlsx, .csv or .pdf. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .numbers
- **Full name:** Apple Numbers Spreadsheet
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.apple.numbers
- **Created by:** Apple
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .numbers file?

On Windows use iCloud.com Numbers (in a browser); on macOS use Numbers (built in); on Linux use iCloud.com Numbers (in a browser). Apple's spreadsheet format — Apple devices and iCloud only.

### What is a .numbers file?

Apple Numbers Spreadsheet. Numbers files are zipped bundles written by Apple's spreadsheet app, which organises a sheet as a canvas holding multiple tables rather than one endless grid. Nothing on Windows or Linux opens them natively; iCloud.com in a browser will, and can export to Excel or PDF.

### Can I convert a .numbers file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .xlsx, .csv or .pdf, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)