Fill color in Numbers (version 11.2)

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Fill color in Numbers (version 11.2)

I know this is a very minor thing but it is driving me crazy just because it was such an automatic muscle memory keystroke for me.

Since I began using Numbers (about 2015), whenever I used the combination of cmd-shift-C in Numbers it would bring up it would open a dialogue box where I could choose a fill color for cells. Now when I use the same shortcut the dialogue box that opens is for text color, not fill color. I know I didn't change any type of preference anywhere to make it change from fill color to text color. I know I can go through the formatting tool but I might prefer keyboard shortcuts. I also know I can copy style from another cell but sometimes the color I want to copy is far enough away that it isn't visible and I don't want to necessarily scroll to find it.

I am assuming that this change is due to a recent Numbers update but I would like to be able to use that keystroke combination to change the fill color and not the text color. I tend to think that this is some sort of incidental change vs. an intentional change. The only reason I point that part out is that it makes me feel that there isn't a way to change it necessarily.

I have called myself searching thoroughly for an option to make the fill color come up instead of the text color but can't seem to find anything. I would appreciate all thoughts and ideas. I am including a screenshot of the pop-up window I am referring to in case that helps. I want the part that says "text color" below to say "color fill" when I hit that keystroke combo like it used to. Also, I might should point out that the window below happens when I click on a cell that has no color fill already there. When I go to a cell that already has a color fill and hit cmd-shift-C, the window that pops up then has color fill at the top but of course, I don't need to fill a cell that already has color.

I have a MacBook Pro 13 inch, 2020 running macOS Monterey version 12.2.1

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 17, 2022 8:06 PM

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Answer 1

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Barry

Level 9

59,951 points

Mar 18, 2022 1:30 AM in response to appleuseruga

Hi 'ruga,

A change in this would require revisions to the software, which is beyond the scope of these user-to-user communities.

Apple employees have a very limited role in these communities, and Apple's participation here does not include the product development team members or Apple Leadership.

You can make a Feature request via the Provide Numbers Feedback menu item in the Numbers menu, requesting this feature be returned to its earlier role as the Color Picker, with the default 'Text Color' setting removed (as a default setting).

Your post above states the reasons that the return would be an improvement from the current state of the feature, and would require only minor editing to make it fit the role of a feature request.

Feature requests often take a long time to produce a result. In the meantime, consider building on this comment:

" I also know I can copy style from another cell but sometimes the color I want to copy is far enough away that it isn't visible and I don't want to necessarily scroll to find it. "

Consider adding a column (or a row) to your table to use strictly as a colour source for setting new fill colours for specific cells. Fill a contiguous set of cells with the colours you want to use as fill, and hide the column.

When editing the table, unhide the column and use option-command-C to copy the format of a cell in the group, then option-command-V to paste that format into the cell whose fill you want to set to that colour.

If your table is long from top to bottom, and these cell colour changes will continue to be made through the whole height of the table, Select the set, copy the format(s), then paste the format copies into several groups placed at convenient intervals down the column.

Re-hide the column when not editing the table, and unhide it when needed.

Regards,

Barry

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