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Fix Word 16.93 for Mac Not Displaying Music Fonts
Question details
User is unable to view or use specific TrueType music fonts in Microsoft Word 16.93 for Mac after a recent software update.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Sequoia 15.3
- Scenario
- Attempting to use custom music fonts such as CSTimes, MusAnalysis, and MusGlyphs in a Word document.
- Observed behavior
- The fonts render correctly in Apple Pages but fail to display in Word 16.93 across multiple Mac devices following an Office update.
Ensure you have backed up your current Word documents and locate your Microsoft Office account details in case you need to reinstall an older version of the software. Verify that the TrueType fonts are properly installed and enabled in the macOS Font Book.
Downgrade to a Previous Version of Word for Mac
Reverting to an earlier build of Office that properly supported TrueType music fonts is the most reliable workaround until Microsoft releases a patch.
Since the font display problem is tied specifically to the 16.93 update, rolling back to an older version (like 16.92) restores compatibility with your installed TrueType music fonts.
Open Finder, navigate to your Applications folder, locate Microsoft Word, and drag it to the Trash.
Visit the official Microsoft release history page for Office for Mac. Find the installer package for version 16.92 or earlier and download it.
Run the downloaded .pkg installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Open the newly installed Word, click on Help in the top menu bar, select Check for Updates, and uncheck 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' to prevent it from immediately reinstalling version 16.93.
Clear the macOS Font Cache
Sometimes font display issues are caused by corrupted cache files. Clearing them forces Word to rebuild its font directory.
Use WPS Office for Flawless Document Formatting on Mac
If Word for Mac is struggling with custom TrueType fonts, WPS Office provides a robust, free alternative. It features excellent font rendering, high compatibility with DOCX files, and a lightweight design that runs smoothly on macOS.
- 1. Download WPS for Mac: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file to view your music fonts correctly without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my TrueType fonts work in Apple Pages but not in Microsoft Word?
Apple Pages uses the native macOS font rendering engine, which natively handles custom TrueType fonts consistently. Microsoft Word for Mac relies on its own internal rendering systems, which can sometimes break or introduce bugs after a new update like version 16.93.
Can I fix the font display issue without uninstalling Word?
You can try clearing the macOS font cache by booting into Safe Mode, or check the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool for any sudden hotfixes. However, if this is a known bug introduced in version 16.93, rolling back to an older version is usually the only guaranteed temporary fix.
Will reinstalling older versions of Word delete my documents?
No. Uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Word only replaces the application files. Your personal documents, templates, and files saved on your Mac or in OneDrive will remain completely intact.
Is WPS Office a good alternative for handling specialized fonts?
Yes, WPS Office offers excellent typography support and accurately renders custom TrueType and OpenType fonts on macOS, all while maintaining full format compatibility with Microsoft Word documents.
