'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Incorrect Page Size Display in Word for Mac Documents
Question details
Users need to restore normal page display in Word for Mac when documents with images appear distorted or square.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Viewing and editing documents that contain inserted graphics like JPG, PNG, or PDF files.
- Observed behavior
- The document displays on screen as a square or with an incorrect page size, even though it prints correctly. This is triggered when white space between pages is hidden.
Ensure your document layout is set to Print Layout view (View > Print Layout), as page boundaries and white space settings are only fully visible in this viewing mode.
Enable White Space Between Pages in Word Preferences
Restoring the white space between pages forces Word for Mac to render the full page dimensions correctly on your screen, fixing the square display issue.
When white space is hidden in Microsoft Word, the top and bottom margins are collapsed to save screen space. However, if the document contains large graphics, this feature can glitch and cause the entire page to appear squashed or completely square. Re-enabling the white space easily resolves this visual anomaly.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu.
In the Word Preferences dialog box, locate and click on the 'View' icon.
Look for the option labeled 'White space between pages' (this may appear under the 'Print Layout View options' section) and check the box to enable it.
Close the Preferences window. Your document containing JPG, PNG, or PDF graphics should immediately refresh and display the correct standard page size.
Experience Flawless Document Formatting with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter layout glitches and display bugs in Microsoft Word for Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for macOS, ensuring your documents and images render exactly as intended without frustrating workarounds.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for macOS.
- 2. Install on Your Mac: Open the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the application.
- 3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file to enjoy flawless image layouts and correct page sizing instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my document print correctly but look square on the Mac screen?
When the 'white space between pages' setting is disabled, Word hides your top and bottom margins to optimize screen space. If the document has large graphics, Word's display renderer can shrink the visible page bounds, causing the page to appear square on your monitor while keeping the correct physical dimensions for printing.
Does this issue happen with all image formats in Word for Mac?
Yes, this display anomaly can occur with documents containing various graphic formats, including JPG, PNG, and PDF files inserted into the page.
Are there other ways to fix page size issues in Word for Mac?
Aside from enabling white space, you should ensure that your default paper size is set correctly in File > Page Setup. Also, check that your document is in 'Print Layout' view rather than 'Draft' or 'Web Layout' view, which do not constrain elements to traditional page dimensions.
