Character options do not show in properties

[TomRRochesterNY]

I'm having a "come and go" problem with the Properties.  Using Adobe Captivate Classic, v. 11.8.2.254.

I create a smart shape and type text in it.  When I highlight the text to change color, font, size, etc., those options do not show up in the "PROPERTIES" window, like this:

But it doesn't happen all the time.  Sometimes it works fine.  Sometimes it starts working after a time, and sometimes it will work when I save, close and re-open the project.  (But none of thos have fixed it at the moment.)

When it doesn't work, it doesn't work on "any" smart shape, but when it does work it works on everything.

Parenthetically, I tried createing a text entry box, and for that type of object the character options appear.  

I'm guessing it has to be a bug, because it's not a consistent situation.  But hoping someone might have a solution for me.

Thanks.

[TomRRochesterNY]

Added information.  Instead of closing the file, I closed Captivate completely then reopened the file and everything worked as it should.  I'm guessing "bug" is the answer ...

[Lilybiri]

Please try to clean the Preferences. Find the file 'CleanPreferences...' for your OS in the subfolder 'utils' under the installation folder. Run that file while Captivate is closed. More information in my blog post:

https://blog.lilybiri.com/tips-for-troubleshooting

Normally that could solve corruption in the Captivate app. Since it is not always happening it is difficult to talk about a bug.

[TomRRochesterNY · Accepted solution]

I did clean the preferences without success.  However, I've discovered a workaround, if not a solution.

I'm working with several projects that are "copies of each other."  Because they all share some of the same information, when I create a new project I use "Save as ..." with one of the old ones, then delete what I don't need and add what I do need.  I reuse the slides within projects and change the relevant content.  Point being, I may have started with a corrupted file and have been re-using it.  I haven't started any other projects from scratch, so I don't know if the problem will recur in something brand new.

But I did find a way to make it work.  When I am unable to get the character options to appear in a smart shape, I add a new smart shape on the slide and click in it as though I will be adding text.  The character options show up on that and I don't even bother to add any text.  I delete that shape and when I return to the original shape the character options are visible.  It may not be a fix, but can't argue with success.