Level 1

0 points

Pages 4.3 - unable to duplicate document (unavailable function)

Hi,

I've recently ran across a problem with Pages 4.3 after the update on Mavericks... (or at least I suppose it was the origine of the problem).

The fact is I cannot dupplicate a document any more (or save as...), the shortcut shift+cmd+s is totally unavailable, doesn't even appear in the File menu.

I have uninstalled Pages 5.0 'cause I find it unusable for the time beeing. But in Numbers and Keynote 2013, this shortcut is available. It has however disappeard in the '09 versions... And, surprisingly in Preview.app as well.

This is quite annoying and I couldn't find any answer or even a similar problem anywhere...

Thanks already for your tips or solutions :-)

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Nov 9, 2013 4:12 AM

30 replies

fruhulda

Level 6

15,167 points

Nov 9, 2013 10:45 AM in response to MarcelPahud

We have to sort this, Marcel.

1. When you install Pages is from a DVD or is it from the MacAppStore? Did you do the updates so you do have Pages 4.3? We need to establish this.

2. If you try Pages in another user account on the computers (try on both) does pages have the right menu options? It could be that the plist files are faulty. If you don't have other users accounts on the computer you can create new accounts in the System Preferences > Accounts

@ Jeff - the application I use is the free Language Switcher from http://www.tj-hd.co.uk/en-gb/languageswitcher/

Only problem is that if you have a newer Pages also int he Application folder the application will only show that app.

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2013 10:54 AM in response to fruhulda

Thanks for your help, all of you ;-)

@fruhulda :

1. I first installed it from the DVD and then it went updated through the mac app store... the problem would be now to install a 4.3 version... Cause I don't have it and it's probably not on the Mac App store any more. Do you think it could help if I tried and recover a backup version in Time Machine ?

2. I don't have time to do this now, I'll let you know when I've tried... But what I already did is erase all the preference files (using Appcleaner).

Nov 9, 2013 11:17 AM in response to MarcelPahud

Download the 4.3 updater and keep it with your DVD Installer.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1563

Peter

fruhulda

Level 6

15,167 points

Nov 9, 2013 11:20 AM in response to MarcelPahud

Get the updater with the link Peter is giving you. This could certainly be the problem if you couldn't update Pages you really didn't have the 4.3 anymore after all the installations.

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2013 4:10 PM in response to fruhulda

Ok I tried :

1. To re-update the apps with the link Peter gave me. No change.

2. To create a new user account to see if it is available there, still no change either...

I'll try tomorrow with the Time Machine backuped apps...

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2013 4:12 PM in response to MarcelPahud

Other question : what could explain that Preview.app is also affected by the problem ?

fruhulda

Level 6

15,167 points

Nov 9, 2013 10:57 PM in response to MarcelPahud

I am beginning to suspect that there is something wrong with the system. You can install the system again on top of what you have. You don't have to erase or archive the HD, but if you have important documents do save them to an external disc. Remember to do updates for the system too.

Jeff Shenk

Level 4

3,005 points

Nov 10, 2013 4:11 AM in response to MarcelPahud

Fruhulda is correct that this seems to indicate a problem at the system level, rather than with Pages.

In addition to her recommendation, you might want to examine whether there are any third party Finder-enhancer applications present, which may not be entirely compatible with the new operating system. Also, if the upgrade to Mavericks was done on top of a system that had set some properties with "Defaults write" from the command line, or with a program like Tinker Tool or similar, it may have left something incompatible.

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2013 5:49 AM in response to fruhulda

Ok thanks,

I'll try and install the system again and try and uninstall some apps that could be the origin of the problem. Already uninstalled TotalFinder, but didn't seem to have changed something, but now you mention it, it could well be the origin of the problem...

Nov 10, 2013 1:05 PM in response to MarcelPahud

Forget TotalFinder.

XtraFinder is free and seems to be also problem free.

Peter

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 11, 2013 5:05 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

I didn't know that one, thanks !

Tried to re-install Mavericks on top of the old installation on my MBP, didn't work...

I'll try it tonight on my iMac and if it doesn't improve, I fear I'll have to erase everything and get started again...

Nov 11, 2013 5:16 AM in response to MarcelPahud

I did check this on the Apple Store Macs and the option key works and shows Save As in the File menu.

Peter

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 11, 2013 6:38 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

So it might well be a third party app... I'll make some other tests and let you know...

Do your versions of Pages also have this strange behaviour : when I save a document on which I'm working on, it creates a new one in the folder with the same name only terminated with ~

Example : test.pages will create a test~.pages in the folder as I hit "Save"...

Nov 11, 2013 7:16 AM in response to MarcelPahud

No.

I really think you have something else going on.

Pteer

MarcelPahud Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:44 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

So, I reinstalled everything, formatted the drive and reinstalled OS X and reinstalled iWork... Now everything is back all right...

I still don't know where the problem came from...

But, when I tried to recover my documents from Time Machine, the bug reappeared... so there must be something in the preferences or don't know where...

Anyway, thanks for your time and help :-)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Pages 4.3 - unable to duplicate document (unavailable function)