I have a Numbers doc that in the second column is text description. The cells are formatted to be text. Yet, when the spreadsheet is printed all the text in that column is garbage. Not letters, just symbols or squares, etc. Have tried changing text size but makes no difference. At present it is Helvetica, size 10 font. Has anyone run into this before? I have never seen it.
Richard
MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), 13 inch model 8,1
Well I got the chance to restart Numbers on her computer, same results. Then restarted the computer and again no change, still not legible. There are no warnings or error codes, just does not print right. Am attaching the image of the Numbers file and also how it looks in Preview as a printed pdf.
A problem with the font does seem to be the probable cause.
I've had very little experience with using Font Book or doing any sort of font repair, but I'll put out a call for assistance from someone with knowledge in the field.
Regards,
Barry
Hi Richard,
I would bet the Mac you're creating these PDFs from is not embedding the Helvetica font. So when you open the resulting PDF, the Mac doesn't know what font is supposed to be used for the text, and displays everything with LastResort, which will give you a bunch of boxes. Or, the installed Helvetica font is damaged in some way. Not enough that it won't display correctly in Pages, but enough that the embedded copies get trashed.
I didn't see a way to check a PDF in Preview to see what fonts are part of a PDF. Doesn't seem to have that option. So if you would, please install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Open a non-functioning PDF with it and press Command+D. Click on the Fonts tab. It should show the embedded fonts, such as this partial list for a PDF from Apple for a 2008 Mac Pro manual.
If it shows nothing, then my guess is correct. Helvetica isn't even being embedded. If it does show Helvetica as being part of the PDF, then they're somehow damaged. You can replace Helvetica with a fresh copy by extracting it from the OS X installer package, using Pacifist. Or just grab a known good copy from another Mac of the same version of OS X/macOS and replace the one currently on the drive.
Hi Richard,
Is it printable?
These are diagnostic questions, and the answer to each may provide information regarding the cause or source of the issue and lead to a cure. Please answer each question individually, providing details where anything unexpected occurs.
Regards,
Barry
Richard,
It's always best to post a screenshot so we can see what you are trying to describe.
Also...
- have you quit and restarted Numbers?
- have you restarted your computer?
- Does this happen on other documents?
- was the problem document started in Numbers?
Wayne, interesting. I read your response and proceeded to get that information. It is a Numbers file my wife created on her MB Pro running El Capitan. She made the file in Numbers. She is not here to ask about restarting, but I thought easiest if I transfer the file to my iMac running Yosemite and work from here. When I did that, the file looks and prints as expected. So it must be something with her computer. When I get a chance, will try restarting her computer and Numbers and see if that persists. An odd problem, have never seen it before.
Barry, it is Numbers version 3.6.2, and OS 10.11.6.
Yes, same problem if the file printed or previewed in Preview or printed as a pdf and opened in Preview.
Yes, I can copy column and paste into Text Edit and is legible. If I then print the Text Edit doc, actually opened in Preview, garbled again.
Possibly a font issue or an issue with the printer driver.
EDIT: The TextEdit results would also point to this problem source.
In Numbers, try this:
Select column B.
Click the Format brush to open the Format Inspector, then choose Text.
In the Text pane, use the pop-up menu to change the font to one that is similar.
Repeat with Row 1 selected (I notice the same issue there in your screen shot from Preview).
Repeat the Print to Preview test.
Regards,
Barry
I did this. Changed font from Helvetica to Helvetic Neue. That fixed it, now looks fine. Must be the font, right? I went into Font Book and looked at it, but all seemed fine there, no warnings or anything.
It sounds like to me there's a chance that even though Numbers is using Helvetica Size 10 Font, that somehow that's not being read by Preview correctly.
Are there any other nuances as to more precise formatting happening with the font? Is it Helvetica "Light" or "Oblique" or "Bold"?
If you're able to post a screenshot of the inspector for the text, that would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Paul
So I see you've marked this as "solved" now, Richard. Did changing the font elicit the results you were seeking?
It's most certainly an issue with font or formatting. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably update all my software tonight so it's all up-to-date in the morning. If the problem persists even afterward, I would recommend calling AppleCare or taking it in to those Geniuses at that Bar they have there.
Don't forget to schedule your appointment beforehand! getsupport.apple.com.
Barring any other more throughout or specialized tool for the task that might be recommended here, at least use the system-provided Font Book to check the font for errors. Select it and use the Validate item. Or select and validate all for good measure.
In Ye Olde Days a bad font file could really cause major system instability. Appears to have been remedied nowadays but still a bad one can cause mysterious issues. And with installers like MS Office installing their fonts willy-nilly without checking for preexistence, you end up getting duplicates that can cause other issues. Font Book also catches those.
I did this, found about 11 fonts said to have problems, not minor but more serious it would seem. Deleted them. However, Helvetica, which is what we used in Numbers and for this issue checked out fine. Will see if anything changes now.
I have changed the font but before it was Helvetica regular. Now Helvetica neue regular. Attaching the screen shot.
HI Richard,
Now that you have a 'working' copy, try saving it with a changed name, then transfer it back to her machine and try to open and print the copy.
Regards,
Barry
Numbers cell text illegible?
