Setting paragraph style color doesn't change anything

[JimWG]

Greetings!

I wish to assign a particular paragraph style a red text color and have it so change throughout the hundred page document, but even though I modify that paragraph style's color via the styles catalog's modify mode, my text remains black. All of it. Even using the Font Color icon on the function bar doesn't change any colors in any selected character or paragraph. It's like my document's fonts are all locked as black. I checked out the OOo Authors' page for any FAQ info but no go.

Any suggestions would be much much appreciated!

James Greenidge

[8daysaweek.co.uk]

Try highlighting the text and clicking Format > Default, then make sure that your paragraph is assigned to the "Red" paragraph style.

Let us know what (if anything) happens

Related topic:
http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewtopic.phtml?t=16184&highlight=format+default

BFN ,
_________________
James
www.8daysaweek.co.uk - A User-Focused OOo site

[JimWG]

Thanks for the hyper-rapid response, BFN!

I highlighted a paragraph by itself and did Format>Defaut with the paragraph style color set for Red but no go. In frustration I even highlighted the whole document and tried it. No difference. What's telling is that the Font Color icon feature doesn't even have an effect on any character. I wonder is there some kind of "master override" color mode locking me into black font that I'm missing?

Baffled thoroughly!

Thanks,
James Greenidge

[8daysaweek.co.uk]

OK

Try this:
Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > Accessibility > UNCHECK Use automatic font color for screen display

Have you tried printing - does it print in the formatted colours?

BTW (By The Way) BFN = (Bye For Now), my name is James
Common Forum Abbreviations
_________________
James
www.8daysaweek.co.uk - A User-Focused OOo site

[JimWG]

James (not BFN!):

Well, you're a magician! I did your thing and it apparently "unlocked" black font mode, allowing me to use the Font Color icon and the Style Catalog to change color of a paragraph the cursor's on. If there's a way to effect the change in such paragraphs throughout the entire document in one swoop it'd be perfect. I'm hunting. Do you have any good hints in your magic hat?

Thanks a mill!

James Greenidge

[8daysaweek.co.uk]

Hi James,

Glad that worked for you

[JimWG]

James, thanks!

After mucho hair-pulling, I finally got it. I was even thinking of going the route of search-replacing via indent styles to turn my paragraphs red!

In a nutshell in my non-programmer terms, if the document's font default color is black, it acts like a black mask coloring over any style color preferences one has. Format Default "washes away" this color to expose the true style colors beneath. So in setting up to see on screen your paragraph style colors, one should first be sure that the Print Black selection in is OFF in Tools – Options – Text document - Print, as so your recommended Use Automatic Font Color for Screen Display in Tools – Options – Accessibility. Then, even if you wish to view your text all black just select all and hit the Font Color icon for black, and to reverse back to your colored styles just hit Format Default!

Phew! Hope this makes as much sense as it works!

Thanks!
James Greenidge

[8daysaweek.co.uk]

Glad everything's sorted
_________________
James
www.8daysaweek.co.uk - A User-Focused OOo site