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How to Fix Gill Sans MT Printing as Squares on Mac
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where documents formatted with the Gill Sans MT font print as square blocks instead of standard characters.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- MacBook Pro / macOS
- Scenario
- Printing a document containing the Gill Sans MT font after a recent operating system or application update.
- Observed behavior
- The text displays perfectly on the screen within the application but outputs as missing characters or square boxes when printed on paper.
Ensure your printer is properly connected and that you have saved your current document to prevent any data loss before attempting system updates or restarts.
Update macOS and Microsoft 365
Applying the latest system and software updates usually resolves known font compatibility bugs caused by early macOS Sonoma releases.
This printing glitch was frequently reported by users on early versions of macOS Sonoma, while older operating systems like Ventura or Monterey were generally unaffected. Apple and Microsoft release periodic patches to fix these rendering conflicts.
Open 'System Settings' on your Mac, click on 'General' in the sidebar, and select 'Software Update'. Install any available macOS updates.
Open Microsoft Word (or another Office app), click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to install the latest version.
Restart your Mac to ensure all update processes finish, then reopen your document and print it to verify if the font renders correctly.
Change to an Alternative Font
If updating your system is not immediately possible or doesn't fix the problem, switching to a similar sans-serif font is a quick workaround to ensure your document prints clearly.
Report the Issue via Feedback
If the issue persists despite updates, reporting the bug directly to Microsoft and Apple helps developers identify and release a targeted fix.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Printing on Mac
If Microsoft 365 continues to struggle with font printing bugs on your Mac, WPS Office provides a highly compatible, reliable alternative that renders and prints documents without frustrating font glitches.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Open Your Document: Install the application and open your existing file containing the Gill Sans MT font.
- 3. Print Flawlessly: Click 'Print' to let WPS Office process and output your text accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fonts display correctly on screen but print as squares on my Mac?
This is typically caused by a miscommunication between the software application and the macOS print spooler during the rendering process. Early releases of macOS Sonoma experienced this specific bug when handling select fonts in Microsoft 365.
Can I reinstall the Gill Sans MT font to fix the printing issue?
While you can manage and reinstall fonts using the Mac Font Book application, this specific issue is usually caused by system-level software compatibility bugs rather than a corrupted font file. Updating your OS and Office suite is the most effective solution.
Are other fonts affected by this macOS printing bug?
Users primarily reported the square-character issue with Gill Sans MT, but similar rendering conflicts can occasionally impact other custom or older font formats following major macOS or Office software updates.
