Office for Mac Issues

Fix Cannot Format Footnote Separator Line in Word for Mac

Partner Editor Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to view or format the footnote separator line because it disappears in Draft view on Word for Mac.

Cannot Format the Footnote Separator Line in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS Sonoma
Scenario: Editing document layout and attempting to format or modify the footnote separator line.
Observed behavior: The footnote separator does not remain visible in Draft view on Word for Mac version 16.81, making it impossible for the user to select or format the separator line.

Before you start

Before attempting to fix this, verify your current versions of Microsoft Word and macOS, as this specific formatting issue is tied to a known compatibility bug between the two.

Solution 1Recommended

Keep macOS and Microsoft Word Updated

Since this is a documented compatibility issue between Word for Mac and macOS Sonoma without a direct user-level fix, installing the latest updates is the most reliable approach.

Microsoft and Apple periodically release patches to resolve rendering bugs. Updating both your operating system and your Office software ensures you will receive the official fix once it is deployed.

Update Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' to launch Microsoft AutoUpdate. Install any available updates.

Update macOS Sonoma

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'System Settings', go to 'General', and click 'Software Update'. If an update is available, click 'Update Now'.

Known Compatibility Bug: Word for Mac 16.81 on macOS Sonoma struggles to maintain the visibility of the footnote separator in Draft view. Waiting for an official software update is currently the only permanent solution.

Solution 2

Format the Document on a Windows PC or Web App

If you urgently need to format the footnote separator, you can bypass the Mac rendering bug by using a different platform.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Manage Footnotes Flawlessly on Mac

If persistent compatibility bugs in Word for Mac are slowing down your productivity, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable environment for formatting complex documents, including footnotes and endnotes.

1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website, download the free Mac version, and install the application.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file containing the footnotes.
3. Format Footnotes Effortlessly: Navigate to the 'References' tab to manage your footnotes and separators without experiencing the visibility glitches found in Word for Mac.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats, ensuring your layouts remain intact.Reliable footnote and endnote formatting without draft-view glitches.Lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that runs smoothly on macOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the footnote separator disappear in Draft view on Word for Mac?

This is a known rendering bug between specific versions of Microsoft Word for Mac (such as 16.81) and macOS Sonoma. The software fails to keep the separator visible when switching to Draft view.

Can I remove the footnote separator line completely?

Normally, you can remove it by switching to Draft view, clicking 'Show Notes' in the References tab, selecting the 'Footnote Separator', and deleting it. However, if you are affected by the macOS compatibility bug, you may need to perform this action on a Windows PC, the web version of Word, or a compatible alternative like WPS Office.

Is there a setting in Word for Mac to fix this Draft view issue?

No, there is no user-level setting or reliable workaround within Word for Mac itself to fix this specific rendering glitch. It requires a software patch from either Microsoft or Apple.

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