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Fix Word Paragraph Spacing Changes After macOS Sequoia Update
Question details
Users are experiencing unexpected changes to paragraph and line spacing in Microsoft Word after updating to macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, with manual spacing adjustments failing to persist for new documents.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS Sequoia 15.3.1
- Scenario
- Creating new documents or editing existing ones after installing a major macOS system update.
- Observed behavior
- Line and paragraph spacing settings unexpectedly change, and adjustments made via the Paragraph dialog fail to save as the default for subsequent new documents.
Ensure you have saved your current work and determine whether your document relies on the default Normal template or customized style templates.
Set Line Spacing as Default in the Normal Template
Fix recurring spacing issues by applying your preferred line spacing directly to Word's default Normal template, ensuring all future documents inherit the correct formatting.
Major operating system updates can occasionally disrupt Microsoft Word's default template preferences. Modifying the Normal template establishes a fresh baseline for all new files.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac, click on 'Format' in the top menu bar, and select 'Paragraph' from the dropdown list.
In the Paragraph dialog box, locate the Spacing section. Change the 'Line Spacing' option to 'Single' and ensure the specific value box is set to '1'.
Click the 'Set As Default' button located at the bottom of the dialog box. When prompted, select 'All documents based on the Normal template' and click 'OK'.
If you are working in a document that uses customized styles instead of the default Normal template, open the Styles pane, right-click the specific style, select 'Modify', and apply the same spacing settings under Format > Paragraph.
Avoid Formatting Glitches with WPS Office
If macOS updates cause recurring formatting bugs in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and stable alternative for Mac users.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly.
- 3. Edit Seamlessly: Enjoy stable formatting and reliable document editing across all macOS versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the macOS Sequoia update change my Word paragraph spacing?
Major operating system updates can sometimes disrupt Microsoft Office preference files or template caches, causing the default Normal template to revert or behave unpredictably.
Will setting the default line spacing fix my existing documents?
No, changing the default Normal template settings only applies to new documents created after the change. Existing documents with altered spacing must be adjusted manually.
How do I change paragraph spacing for a specific custom style?
Go to the Home tab, open the Styles pane, right-click the custom style you want to change, select Modify, click Format > Paragraph, and input your desired line spacing.
