Fix Microsoft Word Text Box Contents Disappearing After an Update
Question details
The user needs to restore text and figures that disappear from Microsoft Word text boxes after an update, while document previews may still show the content.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- After installing a Microsoft Word or Office update, the user opens documents and finds text box contents missing in the editing view, although previews may still display them.
- Observed behavior
- Text and figures inside text boxes are not visible in the document after an update. Previews may still display the content, and documents saved while the issue is active may remain damaged.
Open the affected document in Microsoft Word and switch to File > Print or another preview view to confirm whether the text box content appears there. If it does, the content is still in the file and a Word display setting is likely causing the problem.
Enable 'Print drawings created in Word' in Word Display Options
Use this first when text box contents disappear after a Word update but still show in document previews.
The Print drawings created in Word option controls whether drawing objects such as text boxes are rendered in the document view. An Office update can reset this setting and hide text box contents until it is turned back on.
In Microsoft Word, click File > Options, then select the Display category in the Word Options dialog.
Under Printing options, check the box for Print drawings created in Word, click OK, and then close and reopen the document to see the text box contents again.
Repair Microsoft Office to Restore Word Drawing Objects
Use this if the display option does not fix the issue or if Word shows other update-related problems.
Recover Text Box Content from an Earlier Document Version
Use this when a document was saved while text box contents were missing and the saved copy remains damaged.
Switch to WPS Writer When Word Updates Break Text Box Content
If Microsoft Word updates repeatedly hide or damage text box contents, WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative that opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Word .docx files with a familiar ribbon interface and easy migration from Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do text box contents disappear in Word after an update?
Some Office updates reset Word display and printing options. Open File > Options > Display and enable Print drawings created in Word to show the text box objects again.
Will repairing Microsoft Office recover text boxes already saved without content?
Repairing Office can restore the program and any unsaved files, but documents saved while the issue was active may remain damaged. Use File > Info > Manage Document to look for a previous version or earlier copy.
Can I recover an older copy of a damaged Word document?
Yes, in Word click File > Info > Manage Document and choose Recover Unsaved Documents or Version History. Open a version from before the update and confirm that the text box contents are visible.
Does WPS Office open Word files that contain text boxes?
Yes, WPS Writer opens, edits, and saves .docx files, including text boxes and drawing objects, with a familiar interface and free Microsoft Office format compatibility.
How do I prevent text box content from disappearing after future Word updates?
Before installing Office updates, close documents and note whether Print drawings created in Word is enabled. After updating, check File > Options > Display and re-enable it if needed.
