Editing / modifying Header or Footer in Numbers not possible

Question

Level 1

8 points

Editing / modifying Header or Footer in Numbers not possible

Since upgrading to MacOS 14 (Sonoma) I seem to have troubles with modifying/ editing header and footer in Numbers in print screen mode. My keyboard, while trying to type, doesn't respond. Strangely enough the commands (E.g. pasting, inserting date form the menu etc.) do function.

I have lain down this problem with Apple Support. They have responded with suggestions without any result so far.

Is there anyone who can provide a guideline to solve this sticky problem?

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Dec 19, 2023 2:58 PM

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Answer 1

SIOCON Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2023 6:28 AM in response to SGIII

The issue is: when header or footer is selected in print mode, the keystrokes for typing text do not respond at all.

Only the keystrokes for CMND-options (e.g. pasting text, inserting date or page from the menu) responds.

I've done actions of disabling / enabling settings and vice-versa such as:

System Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Turn off Speak selection and Speak typing feedback (if either of those features are enabled).

Hover Text: Action: System Settings > Accessibility > Zoom > Hover Text.

Etcetera.

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Answer 2

SGIII

Level 8

37,250 points

Dec 20, 2023 7:36 AM in response to SIOCON

And you've repeatedly restarted your Mac?

I vaguely remember similar behavior a while back elsewhere in the Numbers interface but it went away.

If you have third-party utilities (clipboard managers and the like) then you might try disabling them temporarily and trying.

Also, signing into a new user account on your Mac may give you clues. If the problem is not present there then it may result from settings specific to your main user account.

A final option that might work is to go to Launchpad, uninstall Numbers (hold down the option key and click the red x by Numbers) and redownload it from the Mac App Store.

SG

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Answer 3

Recycleur

Level 4

1,627 points

Dec 20, 2023 7:51 AM in response to SGIII

SG

Back in September I was reading those posts and wondering what it was about because I had no problem typing in headers and footers. Then by the beginning of December, I noticed that I too was affected. I checked the account of a test user and there was no problem with typing in headers and footers (so Numbers itself is not corrupted). I created yet another user specifically to try tracking down this issue and in the coming weeks I'm planning on torturing it to the point I can reproduce the problem, trying to remember what I did in my main account during the last months. I hope to get some results by January.

Of course, I did the basic Preferences deletion and it didn't work, so it's much deeper than that. Pages is not affected, but the fields are in the text edition window, not the print setup window, I don't know if it's a significant difference.

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Answer 4

Evian

Level 1

8 points

Feb 24, 2024 6:29 AM in response to SIOCON

Exactly the same issue since yesterday. I did the same steps as you… same result. As you mention it has something to do with the user, as the problem does not replicate in other users in the same macbook. I deleted preferences, reinstalled… nothing works.

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Answer 5

SIOCON Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 24, 2024 8:05 AM in response to Evian

Have corresponded and spoken to Apple Support. After analyzing the diagnostic report of my laptop they informed me that this issue shall be dealt with through updates. I’m not sure if it is through MacOS or iWork. Or maybe both. Just have to be patient when the updates arrive.

Nb: since update to last MacOS the software Pages is not stable either. While scrolling through document, Pages quits suddenly.

I guess the iWorkteam should have received this information as well.

iWork needs care and attention.

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