Office for Mac Issues

Fix Word for Mac Documents Missing Text and Formatting

Nimra Malik Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Word for Mac documents are failing to display text, letters, and comments properly.

Fix Word for Mac Documents Missing Text and Formatting

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening or editing documents across multiple files on Mac.
Observed behavior: Text goes missing, letters disappear, and comments or formatting are lost, even after changing fonts, views, or copying content to a new document.

Before you start

Save your current work and ensure your Mac is connected to the internet before applying software updates or running disk repair utilities.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft AutoUpdate and Word Software

Resolve rendering and compatibility bugs caused by outdated versions of Word (like 16.37) by applying the latest software updates.

Older versions of Microsoft Word often suffer from rendering glitches on newer macOS systems. Updating the core Microsoft AutoUpdate tool first ensures that your Mac can successfully fetch and install the latest Office patches.

Open Microsoft AutoUpdate

Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates' to open the AutoUpdate utility.

Update the AutoUpdate Tool

If Microsoft AutoUpdate itself requires an update, follow the on-screen prompts to allow it to download and install first.

Install Office Updates

Once the AutoUpdate tool is refreshed, click 'Check for Updates' again. Select and install the latest available Office updates for Word.

Restart Your Mac

After the installation finishes, restart your Mac to fully apply the updates and clear out old rendering caches.

Update Microsoft AutoUpdate and Word Software

macOS Updates: It is also highly recommended to install any pending macOS updates from System Preferences > Software Update to ensure optimal compatibility with the latest Word version.

Solution 2

Run Disk Utility First Aid

Fix underlying disk permissions and storage health issues that might prevent Word from reading and displaying file contents correctly.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Documents Flawlessly with WPS Office for Mac

Avoid rendering glitches, missing text, and compatibility issues on your Mac. WPS Office is a lightweight, completely free alternative that seamlessly handles Microsoft Word documents without missing a beat.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder to install it.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and drag your existing .docx files directly into the application to view and edit without missing text or lost formatting.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx).Lightweight installation ensures fast loading and smooth text rendering.Familiar user interface makes switching from Microsoft Word effortless.Free to use with advanced PDF editing tools built-in.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does text randomly disappear in my Word document on Mac?

This is often caused by a software glitch in outdated versions of Microsoft Word (such as version 16.37) or corrupt rendering caches. Updating the application via Microsoft AutoUpdate usually resolves these display issues.

Can a corrupt font cause missing letters in Word for Mac?

Yes, corrupted or unsupported fonts can cause specific characters to render as blank spaces. Using the Font Book app on your Mac to validate fonts and clear font caches can help, though running standard software updates should be your first step.

How do I recover lost comments in my Word document?

If comments are not displaying due to rendering bugs, updating Word and restarting your Mac should make them visible again. Also, ensure 'Show Comments' is toggled on under the Review tab on the main ribbon.

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