sudden backwards typing and no response from most menu items and shortcuts

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sudden backwards typing and no response from most menu items and shortcuts

This a recurring problem that is happening more frequently recently. I am working on a Retina 5K, 27", 2017 with macOS Mojave 10.14.5. My Numbers program is version 6.2 (6520). I can't upgrade to Catalina yet because I use a number of other programs that are not 64 bit compatible.

Here's the problem. I open up a Numbers file that I've been modifying constantly and start working. Everything is fine for a while and then suddenly, any text typed into a text field or a table cell starts displaying backwards. In other words, I type "type," and it comes out "epyt." At the same moment, menu items and shortcuts stop responding. I can't save the file, edit, cut, past, etc. But I can still move tables, and objects around with the cursor. The only solution is to Force-Quit. When I next open the same file, everything works for a while, then the same problem re-appears. What is going on?

Lee

Posted on Apr 18, 2020 9:20 AM

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Answer 1

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Apr 20, 2020 9:52 AM in response to Lee Silver

Hi Lee Silver,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! I see you're having a strange issue when using Numbers on your Mac, and I'd like to do what I can to help out.

Starting with some basic troubleshooting, have you restarted your Mac since noticing this issue? If not, go ahead and do that, as a restart can resolve unusual issues.

You mentioned you're using macOS Mojave 10.14.5. The latest Mojave version is 10.14.6. After updating Mojave, check for a Numbers update.

What's new in the updates for macOS Mojave

How to update the software on your Mac

If after those steps the issue is still happening, verify all is set up correctly, as shown in the Numbers User Guide for Mac and how to Enter text and numbers in Numbers on Mac

For additional assistance if the issue still isn't resolved, I'd recommend contacting the Apple Support Numbers experts and let them know what's happening and which steps you done so far.

Select Music, Apps & Services > Mac apps > Numbers

Take care!

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sudden backwards typing and no response from most menu items and shortcuts

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