Printing Problems

Fix Word for Mac Showing Boxes Instead of Bullets

Adam Davis Oct 10, 2026 871 views

Question details

Bullet points in Word documents are rendering as square boxes instead of standard bullets after a system update.

How to Fix Word for Mac Showing Boxes Instead of Bullets

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS (Sonoma)
Scenario: Printing documents, previewing print layouts, or exporting Word documents to PDF on a Mac.
Observed behavior: Standard bullets appear as boxes in print previews, printed pages, and exported PDF files regardless of the font used.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet to download any necessary software updates, and verify if the issue happens in a new blank document or only in existing files.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft Office, macOS, and Printer Software

Install the latest updates for Word, macOS, and printer drivers, as this issue is typically caused by a subsystem compatibility bug introduced in macOS updates.

Because this issue often follows a macOS update (such as macOS Sonoma), it usually stems from a misalignment between Microsoft Word's rendering engine, the macOS printing subsystem, and the specific printer driver.

Update Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Go to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'. Install any available updates for Word.

Update macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), go to 'General', and click 'Software Update'. Install any pending macOS updates.

Update Printer Drivers

Visit your printer manufacturer's official website (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson). Navigate to their support or drivers section, download the latest driver compatible with your current macOS version, and install it.

Update Microsoft Office, macOS, and Printer Software

Check Firmware Updates: In addition to drivers, check if your printer has a firmware update available on the manufacturer's website, as this can also resolve deep-rooted printing glitches.

Solution 2

Change the Bullet Font to a Standard System Font

Modify the font of the bullet points to bypass character encoding and rendering errors during PDF export and printing.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Print and Export Documents Flawlessly

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with font rendering and print compatibility on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a seamless, highly compatible environment for opening, editing, and printing Word documents without the formatting glitches often seen after OS updates.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your existing .docx file.
3. Print or Export: Go to 'Menu' > 'Print' or 'Export to PDF'. Your bullets will render perfectly on screen and on paper.

Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft WordExcellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .doc)Stable PDF export and flawless printing on macOSFamiliar user interface for a smooth transition

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do bullets turn into boxes when I export to PDF on my Mac?

This happens when the specific font used for the bullet character is not properly embedded in the PDF, or when there is a compatibility mismatch between Word's export engine and the macOS PDF subsystem following a system update.

Does this issue only affect specific printer brands?

No. Users report the box-rendering issue across multiple different printer models and brands, indicating the root cause is usually within the macOS printing subsystem or Word's rendering engine rather than a single printer.

How can I check my current Word version on Mac?

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'Word' in the top left menu bar next to the Apple logo, and select 'About Microsoft Word'. A dialog box will appear displaying your current version and license information.

Document & File Issues