How to Turn Off Mirror Printing in Word on Mac
Question details
The user needs to stop Microsoft Word documents from printing or exporting as horizontally mirrored or reversed images on a Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Printing or exporting a text document using Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting printed pages or exported files appear horizontally flipped or mirrored.
Ensure your printer is properly connected to your Mac and turned on. Try printing a test page from another application, such as Safari or Preview, to determine if the mirrored printing issue is isolated to Microsoft Word or a system-wide printer setting.
Disable 'Flip Horizontally' in the macOS Print Dialog
Use this solution to correct mirrored printing caused by the macOS system layout settings.
The macOS Print dialog contains a layout feature that can intentionally flip pages horizontally for specific printing needs like iron-on transfers. Disabling this resolves most backwards printing issues.
Press 'Command + P' or go to 'File' > 'Print' in Microsoft Word to open the system print window.
In the Print dialog, look for the dropdown menu usually labeled 'Copies & Pages' (or 'Word' depending on your macOS version) and change it to 'Layout'.
Locate the 'Flip Horizontally' checkbox in the Layout section and ensure it is unchecked. Click 'Print' to verify the document prints normally.
Change Multiple Pages Settings to Normal Margin
Use this method if the print dialog settings are correct but the document still prints mirrored due to internal formatting.
Update macOS, Office, and Printer Drivers
Apply this solution if adjusting both layout settings and margins fails to resolve the issue.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Printing Experience
If you frequently encounter frustrating formatting and printing issues in Microsoft Word for Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with straightforward printing configurations and a familiar interface.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. The layout will remain perfectly intact.
- 3. Print Without Errors: Press 'Command + P' to access the clean, straightforward print dialog and print your document exactly as it appears on screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Mac printer printing everything backwards?
This usually happens when the 'Flip Horizontally' feature is enabled in the Mac Print dialog. This setting is often used for printing onto iron-on transfer paper but will cause standard documents to print backwards if accidentally left on.
What is the purpose of the 'Mirror Margins' setting in Word?
The 'Mirror Margins' setting is designed for bound documents, like books or magazines. It ensures that the inside margins (near the binding) are equal, and the outside margins are equal, alternating between odd and even pages. However, driver conflicts can sometimes misinterpret this setting and flip the entire text.
How do I find the 'Copies & Pages' menu on newer macOS updates?
In recent macOS updates, the Print dialog interface has been simplified. You may need to scroll down in the Print window and click 'Printer Options' or look for an expanding arrow next to 'Layout' or 'Advanced' to find the specific flipping and mirroring checkboxes.
