Fix Word Comments Covering the Screen on iPad
Question details
The user needs to fix a display issue in Word for iPad where selecting a comment causes an oversized blue menu bar to expand, leaving very little space to view the document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Viewing and managing comments in a Word document on an iPad.
- Observed behavior
- When a comment is selected, a large blue menu bar expands and covers most of the screen, obscuring the document content.
Ensure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and that your current document is fully synced to OneDrive or iCloud before modifying or uninstalling the application.
Update and Reinstall the Microsoft Word App
Updating or reinstalling the app resolves most interface glitches caused by outdated software or corrupted app data.
A known display bug in certain versions of Microsoft Word for iPad causes the formatting menu to scale incorrectly. Forcing an update or performing a clean installation usually restores normal behavior.
Open the App Store on your iPad, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and scroll down to see if there is a pending update for Microsoft Word. If an update is available, tap 'Update'.
If updating does not fix the issue, return to your home screen. Press and hold the Word app icon, select 'Remove App', and then tap 'Delete App' to uninstall it from your device.
Open the App Store, search for 'Microsoft Word', and download the app again. Once installed, open it and sign back into your Microsoft account.
Perform a Factory Reset on the iPad
If reinstalling the app does not work, the issue might be rooted in deep system UI conflicts that only a factory reset can clear.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mobile Reading Experience
If Microsoft Word for iPad continues to present display issues, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. It features an optimized mobile interface for handling document comments smoothly without obscuring your screen.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the iPad App Store and download the application for free.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file directly from your local iPad storage or connected cloud drive.
- 3. View Comments Smoothly: Tap on any comment to view or edit it in a clean, non-intrusive sidebar that keeps your document fully visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the blue menu bar expand when I click a comment in Word for iPad?
This is typically a UI rendering bug in specific versions of the Microsoft Word app for iPadOS. The app attempts to bring up the formatting or comment reply tools but fails to scale them properly on the tablet interface, resulting in an oversized bar that covers the document.
Will uninstalling Word on my iPad delete my saved documents?
No. As long as your documents are saved to a cloud service like OneDrive or iCloud, or stored in your iPad's 'Files' app outside the local Word folder, they will remain safe and accessible after you reinstall the app.
Is there a way to view comments without triggering the blue menu bar bug?
As a temporary workaround, you can try switching to 'Mobile View' if available, or access your document via Word for the Web using your iPad's Safari browser. This bypasses the installed app's interface bug entirely.
