Odd state for text box: arrows, delete, backspace all insert squares

[walt.farrell]

I have somehow gotten Publisher into a state where any use of the Delete, Backspace, or arrow (left/right/up/down) keys within the text frame on page 3 results in the insertion of a character that looks like an empty square.

The .afpub file is too large to attach (29MB) but I'll supply it via the Dropbox link if someone on the Serif staff wants it.

 

[Pauls]

you can upload the file here

[walt.farrell]

Thanks, @Pauls. Uploaded odd-characters.afpub

[Pauls]

Well its not document related as it's working fine for me

[Alfred]

If it isn’t document-related, why does it only affect page 3? 

Perhaps the developers will get a clue from the fact that PagePlus sometimes does something similar, with keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+X and Ctrl+V adding characters to the text instead of cutting and pasting.

[Pauls]

It's difficult to say without sitting down and watching you use the app could be as subtle as the way you do things.

Does this behaviour happen for you even after restarting the app ?

[Aammppaa]

Just experienced the same bug myself.

Very hard to say what I did. Nothing different from a usual day.

Affinity Cursor Delete Bug.afpub

Restarted app and file above is now working again, though you can see the spurious characters that remain from the bug.

[Sam Neil]

Same here.

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by Sam Neil

[Pauls]

are the gradient backgrounds a co-incidence or required to create the problem?

still struggling to get this, can you confirm windows versions please

[Sam Neil]

1 minute ago, Pauls said:

are the gradient backgrounds a co-incidence or required to create the problem?

still struggling to get this, can you confirm windows versions please

I am using Windows 10 (Build 17134.286)

[Aammppaa]

The gradients are irrelevant. I was simple experimenting with them at the time.

Yes, I'm on Windows 7.

This is the first time I've encountered this bug in many weeks to testing Publisher.

Sorry can't give more details. I really wasn't doing anything special!

[Aammppaa]

Changed my mind… this is (for me) related to gradients.

1. New document
2. Add text frame
3. Type some text (all is OK)
4. Add gradient to the text frame
5. Type text…

Result…

• All text appears in capitals.
• Cursor keys and delete insert "weird" symbols.
• Shift key doesn't work to select sifted characters
• '.' cycles the selection box!
• ',' toggles split view mode.

These last examples suggest to me that the text box has in some way lost the focus.

[Pauls]

Aammpaa - could you save a document with history and attach it please

 

[Aammppaa]

Here you go…

 

Affinity Text Frame Gradient Bug.afpub

[carl123]

39 minutes ago, Aammppaa said:

Changed my mind… this is (for me) related to gradients.

1. New document
2. Add text frame
3. Type some text (all is OK)
4. Add gradient to the text frame
5. Type text… 

 

Once it goes wrong, press the ESC key

Does that revert to normal behaviour for you?

[Pauls]

Exactly (and I mean exactly) how are you setting the gradient on the frame ?

 

[Aammppaa]

@carl123 Yes hitting escape does resume normal behavior.

@Pauls I am using the Fill tool.

1. Having created the text frame, I switch to the Fill Tool (either by clicking the icon or hitting G).
2. Then I select the Context > Fill > Frame
3. And Type: Linear
4. Gradient is applied.
5. Now return to the Text tool (again either by icon or hitting T).
6. Bug arises.

[Pauls]

Thanks for the help everyone  - I'll get that reported

 

[walt.farrell]

Thanks, @Pauls.

I see from the history in my test file that the problem arose shortly after I removed an unexpected gradient from the newly created text in the frame, so mine is probably also related to the use of gradients in a text frame.

[dougiewrite]

I didnt have any fills but it looks like the same problem I will have to reload 133 to check it out but I was virtually locked out with it and that's why I restarted with the earlier version.

[Jia]

I was getting the same result (text all in capitals, backspace produced strange box characters) when I tried to use a text frame - not at all related to gradients as I hadn't done anything with those. I hadn't done anything at all, as this was the first time I'd ever used the software and it was a new file.

The problem happened no matter what I did and hitting Esc or creating a new text frame changed nothing. I closed without saving and then re-opened, and the problem had gone away.

 

[KRColeman]

Same bug is happening in current version that I just paid for an installed.  Very annoyed.  Wasted an entire 3 hours on something.

[kamiC]

Hello,

I have Affinity Publisher 1.8.3 and I'm using a Mac, Catalina 10.15.5.

I am experiencing a problem: When I use the delete, backspace, or any of the arrow keys within the text frame, I get a character that looks like an empty square. What I was doing prior to this problem was applying small caps to the headings, moving from one text frame to another. I don't know if that caused it. All I have on the page are text frames. No images or anything else.

I did try pressing the ESC key and it worked, but I want to know if this problem/bug has been addressed at all. Has anyone figured out the cause?

Thank you!
 

[Cesar Valente]

Same problem here. AP 1.8.3, Mojave 10.14.6, in a Macbook Pro 13. If close and reopen the app, works fine for some time. But again... very annoying.

[SarahB]

The same thing has started happening to me today AP 1.8.3, High Sierra 10.13.6, Macbook Pro 13. Nothing to do with gradients for me, but seems to start happening after I draw a guide.

It seems nothing has been updated on this issue since September 2018, but it is still happening.