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Fix Cannot Edit Footnote Separator in Word for Mac (macOS Sonoma)
Question details
Users are unable to view or edit the footnote or endnote separator, often experiencing a gray screen glitch.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Sonoma
- Scenario
- Attempting to edit footnote or endnote separators in Draft view.
- Observed behavior
- Double-clicking the footnote area causes a gray screen, leaving only the separator dialog visible for a fraction of a second before the interface fails.
Ensure your document is saved and back up a copy to a safe location before attempting formatting workarounds.
Check for macOS and Microsoft Office Updates
Because this is a known compatibility and display bug between Word and macOS Sonoma, updating your software is the most reliable way to receive a permanent patch.
This gray screen issue is prominently seen in Word 16.79 on macOS Sonoma, but is rarely reported on older operating systems like Monterey or Ventura. Microsoft frequently releases patches for these specific display glitches.
Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available macOS Sonoma patches.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates' to install the newest Office version.
Remove Indentation from the Normal Style
This workaround will not restore the missing footnote separator interface, but it can help correct the physical position of the separator in your current document.
Switch to WPS Office for a Bug-Free Writing Experience on Mac
If Microsoft Word's display bugs on macOS Sonoma are disrupting your academic or professional workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative with stable footnote and formatting tools.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the WPS Office website and download the Mac version.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, click 'Open', and select your existing .docx file.
- 3. Manage Footnotes Seamlessly: Go to the 'References' tab to freely add, view, and edit footnotes without experiencing gray screen errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my screen turn gray when editing footnotes in Word on Mac?
This is a recognized display bug occurring in specific Microsoft Word versions (like 16.79) when running on macOS Sonoma. It causes the Word interface to crash or gray out when attempting to access the footnote separator dialog in Draft view.
Is there a permanent fix for the footnote separator bug?
Currently, there is no permanent user-level fix aside from keeping your macOS and Microsoft Word applications up to date. Microsoft must release an application patch to resolve this underlying display compatibility issue.
Does this footnote issue affect older macOS versions?
Generally, no. Users have confirmed that Word versions experiencing this bug on macOS Sonoma continue to work perfectly fine on older operating systems such as macOS Monterey and Ventura.
