Calculator widget on notification panel

I also have this problem. I tested this by checking my friend's computers before they did the update to High Sierra. On one machine they left a value in the calculator, then did the upgrade. Now, like us, it's stuck with that value as the default value. On the other machine, we made sure it was zero before the upgrade, and it's fine, still 0.

So the issue seems to be if you had a value on the calculator widget while performing the update, it got stuck as the default.

I hope this gets fixed in a software update soon - super annoying to clear it first every time.

Go to folder:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ncplugin.calculator/Data/Library/Preferences

and delete the file com.apple.ncplugin.calculator.plist

(or make a backup of it and then delete it)

This file is not present in a new installation of macOS High Sierra or in the user library of a new user account. If you open it (for example with Xcode) you'll see that it contains the stuck number.

After that your calculator widget should function normally again.

Shelia,

I understand your frustration, but unfortunately, as I mentioned here and in another post, Apple has decided to eliminate the retention of the last total when using the Calc app in Notifications.

I can suggest something similar, but it uses the Dashboard instead of the sidebar Notifications.

First, I added the following free calculator widget, PEMDAS Widget [http://www.donkeyengineering.com/pemdaswidget/index.php?v=300&r=3].

Second, open System Preferences>Mission Control>Dashboard: As Overlay. I chose "F5" to "Show Dashboard".

Then, when I press F5 I get:

As you can see, you can see through to what is underneath because of the "overlay" setting, and you can drag the widget anywhere on the screen. Pressing F5 (or whatever key combo you chose) or ESC makes Dashboard disappear. The great thing is, the calculator retains the total no matter what you do. At least it has worked for me for the last couple of years. It does have scientific functions, but your main functions are easy to get to. Hope this helps you and others looking for an alternative.

NOTE: The new updated version may have an issue, I'm using Version 3 (older) and works fine in High Sierra.

I'm sending them an eMail to verify. Will post response when I get it.

In God's Harmony

catherineryanosm wrote:

Same issue here, with the number 8,100

The fix proposed with ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ncplugin.calculator/Data/Library/Preferences/ does not work for me so I don't even have the 'reset to zero' option. I just use my phone now!

For what it's worth—

Following your correct path:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ncplugin.calculator/Data/Library/Preferences/

There is no 'reset to zero' option. You manually change the string to "0"

Thanks. I did get that, but my problem is that I don't have the exact same file proposed (com.apple.ncplugin.calculator.plist). I have this one: com.apple.calculator.plist which looks like this:

Any suggestions, please?

catherineryanosm wrote:

Thanks. I did get that, but my problem is that I don't have the exact same file proposed (com.apple.ncplugin.calculator.plist). I have this one: com.apple.calculator.plist which looks like this:

Any suggestions, please?

It does not appear you are at the correct plist.

Maybe it will help if you post the complete path to get to "your" example as given: ?/?/?/com.apple.calculator.plist

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ncplugin.calculator/Data/Library/Preferences/

Within that folder I have only these files:

and a search in Finder for com.apple.ncplugin.calculator.plist comes up with nothing.

Hi all,

I have found a definitive solution (or workaround, if you will), until Apple decides to fix this annoying bug introduced by High Sierra.

Using Activity Monitor to trace what was going on, I have found that the culprit is the actual plugin for the Notification Center Calculator:

/System/Library/Frameworks/NotificationCenter.framework/PlugIns/com.apple.ncplugin.calculator.appex

(responsible for writing the "stuck" file ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ncplugin.calculator/Data/Library/Preferences/com .apple.ncplugin.calculator.plist, widely referenced in this post).

So, we will need to replace the aforementioned .appex file with a fresh one from Sierra. If you happen to still have one (I can provide you with it, if you don't), just replace that file inside the NotificationCenter.framework, reboot, and you are done! Notification Center Calculator will start saving the calculations state and you will be able to resume any operations no matter how long before last use.

Note: You might need to (temporarily) disable SIP (System Integrity Protection), in order to MacOS allow you to replace the .appex file.

You can follow this instructions, just make sure to enable it back once you are finished:

http://osxdaily.com/2015/10/05/disable-rootless-system-integrity-protection-mac- os-x/

Let me know how it goes!

P.

Greetings, paulo555.

I see that the calculator widget on your MacBook Pro isn't working correctly since updating to macOS High Sierra. I'm happy to help.

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac -- Test how it responds in safe mode. If there are no issues, reboot normally and test again in your own user account. Remember this when booting in safe mode: Limited graphics performance in OS X recovery or safe mode

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac -- If the issue is also happening in safe mode, use this article to test another user account. This will demonstrate if the issue is isolated to your account, or if it's system wide.

If another user account is already set up on your Mac, you can simply log out of your account (Apple menu > Log Out) and log in with the other account. But the best way to test is with a newly created account:

Let me know how that goes and take care!

dialabrain,

That was my post, actually. Here is the link to my reply:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8129097?start=15&tstart=0

I'll re-write for convenience:

"Well, they got back to me yesterday. Engineering department states the calculator widget in Notifications sidebar is now programmed to zero out whenever it is closed and opened, just like the app. So, the ability to retain the last total is now gone in High Sierra. Of course, unless you are aware of the plist for the container file, and delete it, you will encounter the issue of the last total to keep repopulating."

In God's Harmony

Reboots and shutdowns? Again, far too picky. You generally don't need to reboot, and you rarely need to shut down. You should be putting the machine to sleep so power nap can do it's thing:

• Mail receives new messages.
• Contacts keep up to date with changes made on other devices.
• Calendar receives new invitations and calendar updates.
• Reminders keep up to date with changes made on other devices.
• Notes keep up to date with changes made on other devices.
• Documents stored in iCloud keep up to date with changes made on other devices.
• Photo Stream keeps up to date with changes made on other devices.
• Find My Mac updates the location of the Mac, so you can find it while it's asleep.
• VPN on demand continues working so that your corporate email updates securely. (Power Nap supports VPN connections that use a certificate to authenticate, not VPN connections that require entering a password.)
• Mobile Device Management can remotely lock and wipe your Mac.

And these activities can occur while your Mac is asleep and plugged in to an AC power outlet:

• Software updates download.
• Mac App Store items (including software updates), download in the background.
• Time Machine performs backups.
• Spotlight performs indexing.
• Help Center content updates.
• Wireless base stations can wake your Mac using Wake on Wireless.

So, again, quite picky, and most people don't need such a hard level of persistence for calculator results. If you need such a level of persistence, write you own app, it's free, and it's not too hard to do.

Hi SnickZ!

I have the same issue. I tested it in a safe mode and in another use account. It appears in the safe mode, but not in another user account. So I suggest it is related to the settings or files in my account. How can I find out what exactly causes this issue?

Thank you in advance.

Hello,

Exact same problem on an iMac and MacBook Air. Just a different number stuck on each. Talked with support and did determine it is tied to my main user account. My last instruction from apple support was remove the widget, reinstall High Sierra, it did not fix it. Waiting on support to return my call.

Sometimes, tons of productivity are lost concentrating all energy on a recalcitrant solution, rather than getting the job done using the readily accessible alternative. In my 'world', I cannot afford to waste time.