Office Compatibility Issues

Fix Apple Pencil Drawings Shifting Text in Word on iPad

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a solution for text unexpectedly shifting or moving when drawing with an Apple Pencil in a document.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: iPadOS (iPad Air)
Scenario: Drawing, writing, or annotating over text within a document using an Apple Pencil.
Observed behavior: Text moves or shifts disruptively after drawing with the Apple Pencil, despite the Pencil working flawlessly in other iPad applications. Reinstalling Word and reconnecting the Pencil failed to resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure your iPadOS is fully updated to the latest version and verify whether the text shifting occurs in all Word documents or just a specific file with complex formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Report the Compatibility Issue to Microsoft and Apple

Since basic troubleshooting like reinstalling the app does not work, this is likely a compatibility bug between Microsoft Word and iPadOS that requires official intervention.

When hardware accessories function correctly across the operating system but fail in one specific app, the root cause is typically software compatibility. Microsoft Word's drawing canvas may struggle to interpret Apple Pencil inputs without disrupting text wrapping layers.

Submit Feedback in Word

Open the Microsoft Word app on your iPad, navigate to the 'Help' tab, and tap on 'Feedback'. Describe the issue detailing that Apple Pencil drawings shift text on the iPad Air.

Contact Apple Support

Visit the Apple Support website or use the Apple Support app to report the compatibility problem.

Engage the Community

Post your experience in the Apple iPad Community forums to see if other users have found temporary workarounds for the current iPadOS version.

Awaiting Software Updates: Because this is an application-level bug, keeping both your Microsoft Word app and iPadOS updated is the best way to receive the eventual developer patch for this issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Annotation on iPad

If Microsoft Word continues to disrupt your workflow with text shifting issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative that offers stable Apple Pencil support for drawing and annotating directly on your iPad without breaking document formatting.

1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the App Store on your iPad.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx file directly.
3. Annotate Smoothly: Select the 'Pen' or 'Draw' tool from the toolbar and use your Apple Pencil to write or draw over the document without worrying about text shifting.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF formats.Stable Apple Pencil integration for smooth drawing, handwriting, and signature inputs.Lightweight app design optimized for excellent iPadOS performance.Familiar user interface makes switching from Microsoft Office effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Apple Pencil work well in other apps but glitch in Microsoft Word?

This usually indicates an app-specific bug or a software compatibility issue between the current version of Microsoft Word and your iPadOS version, rather than a hardware defect with your Apple Pencil.

Are there any temporary workarounds to stop text from moving when drawing in Word?

You can try changing the text wrapping settings of the drawing or ink object. Tapping the drawing and setting the layout to 'In Front of Text' or 'Behind Text' can sometimes prevent the drawing layer from actively pushing paragraph text around.

Does WPS Office support Apple Pencil on iPad?

Yes, WPS Office provides excellent native support for the Apple Pencil. You can easily annotate, sketch, and sign both Word documents and PDFs on your iPad smoothly, without experiencing format disruptions.

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