Fix Text Disappearing or Turning White in Microsoft Word for Mac
Question details
Users need a fix for an issue where document text becomes invisible or changes to white in Microsoft Word after updating their operating system to macOS Big Sur.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Typing, scrolling, or viewing standard documents in Microsoft Word on a recently updated Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The text visually disappears or changes to white color, but the actual content remains in the document and reappears when highlighted, scrolled, or manually re-colored.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save your current work, as you will need to check for and install official system and application updates to resolve this compatibility bug.
Update macOS and Microsoft Office
The most effective way to permanently resolve the text rendering compatibility issues introduced in macOS Big Sur is to install the latest patches from Apple and Microsoft.
This disappearing text behavior is a known display bug acknowledged by Microsoft and Apple following the macOS Big Sur release. Keeping both your operating system and Office suite fully updated will implement the official fixes deployed by developers.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to install any available patches.
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, select 'System Preferences', and then click 'Software Update'. If an update is available, click 'Update Now'.
Once all updates for both Microsoft Office and macOS have been installed, restart your computer to ensure the changes take full effect.
Use Quick Rendering Workarounds
If you are unable to update your system immediately, you can force the invisible text to render properly on your screen using quick actions.
Experience Stable and Glitch-Free Word Processing on Mac
If Microsoft Word continues to experience display issues, freezing, or lagging on your macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and stable alternative for all your document creation and editing needs.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package designed specifically for Mac.
- 2. Install and open: Follow the installation prompts to set up WPS Office, then launch the WPS Writer application.
- 3. Open your document: Drag and drop your existing Word document into WPS Writer to view and edit it instantly without any display glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my text suddenly disappear in Word for Mac?
This is a known visual rendering bug caused by compatibility issues between Microsoft Word and macOS Big Sur. The text is not actually deleted; the application simply fails to display the text pixels correctly on the screen.
Will I lose my document data if the text turns white or invisible?
No, your data is completely safe. Because the issue is purely visual, all your text and formatting remain intact. You can press Command + S to save your progress, and you will see the text again once the visual glitch is bypassed.
Does this rendering issue affect other Microsoft Office applications?
While the vast majority of reports regarding disappearing or white text are specific to Microsoft Word on macOS Big Sur, similar display anomalies can occasionally occur in Excel or PowerPoint until the Office suite is fully updated.
Is downgrading my macOS a viable solution?
Downgrading your operating system is generally not recommended as it leaves your computer vulnerable to security risks and is a time-consuming process. Simply updating Microsoft Word to the latest version released after the Big Sur update usually resolves the problem entirely.
