Office for Mac Issues

Fix Japanese Phonetic Guide Issues in Word for Mac

Muhammad Talha Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to add phonetic readings to Japanese kanji characters, but Word for Mac incorrectly applies the phonetic guide to hiragana characters as well.

How to Fix Japanese Phonetic Guide Issues in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Applying the Japanese Phonetic Guide (Furigana) to text containing both kanji and hiragana.
Observed behavior: Unlike Word for Windows which selectively applies readings only to kanji, Word for Mac adds readings above all characters, including hiragana, making the text difficult to read.

Before you start

Ensure your macOS language settings include Japanese and verify that you are running the latest version of Microsoft Word for Mac before attempting to apply phonetic guides.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Word for Windows on Your Mac

Since the selective kanji-only phonetic guide is a Windows-exclusive feature, running Word for Windows on your Mac is the most efficient way to process large Japanese documents.

Microsoft Word for Mac currently lacks the advanced phonetic engine found in the Windows version. To preserve existing phonetic characters and process multiple lines correctly, utilizing the Windows version is highly recommended.

Install a Windows Environment

Use virtualization software like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or Apple's Boot Camp (on Intel Macs) to set up a Windows operating system on your Mac.

Install Office for Windows

Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account within the Windows environment and download the Windows version of Microsoft Office.

Apply the Phonetic Guide

Open your Japanese document in Word for Windows, select your text, and click the Phonetic Guide button. The software will automatically and correctly apply readings only to kanji characters.

Best for Large Documents: This method prevents the need for tedious manual editing, making it ideal for users who frequently format extensive Japanese texts.

Solution 2

Manually Edit Phonetic Readings in Word for Mac

If you must use Word for Mac, you can manually remove the phonetic characters from hiragana through the Phonetic Guide dialog box.

Solution 3

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Help Microsoft prioritize feature parity between Word for Mac and Word for Windows by officially submitting feedback about the Phonetic Guide limitations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office as Your Default Mac Word Processor

If limitations in Microsoft Word for Mac are slowing down your workflow, consider making the switch. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that maintains your document formatting seamlessly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for macOS.
2. Install the Software: Open the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your Mac.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents to continue editing with full formatting compatibility.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office document formats including .docx and .doc.Comprehensive multi-language text editing capabilities for global workflows.Familiar, easy-to-use interface that requires absolutely zero learning curve.Lightweight application optimized for smooth, crash-free performance on macOS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Japanese Phonetic Guide work differently on Mac versus Windows?

Microsoft Word for Mac relies on a different text rendering engine and integrates with macOS built-in phonetic services, which currently lack the advanced selective kanji-targeting algorithm present in the Windows version.

Is there a way to automate fixing hiragana readings in Word for Mac?

Currently, there is no built-in automation or shortcut in Word for Mac to skip hiragana when applying the Phonetic Guide. You must manually clear the ruby text for non-kanji characters in the dialog box.

Will Microsoft fix the Japanese Phonetic Guide issue in future updates?

Microsoft updates its applications based on user feedback and telemetry. It is highly recommended to submit a feature request via the Help > Feedback menu in Word for Mac to encourage the development team to introduce feature parity.

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