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Fix Word for Mac Gray Screen When Viewing Footnotes
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where the screen turns completely gray, hiding both the document content and footnotes.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Sonoma
- Scenario
- Attempting to view footnotes via View > Footnotes or switching to Draft/Outline views.
- Observed behavior
- The application displays a blank gray screen and completely hides the document content and footnotes instead of rendering them properly.
Ensure you have saved your current documents and backed up your work before checking for operating system or software updates.
Update macOS and Word to the Latest Versions
Since this is a known compatibility issue between macOS Sonoma and Word 16.81, installing the latest system and software patches is the most effective approach.
This rendering glitch is a documented compatibility issue affecting Word version 16.81, particularly on Apple M3 Macs running macOS Sonoma. A permanent fix relies on updates provided by Apple and Microsoft.
Click the Apple Menu in the top left corner, navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update, and install any available updates for macOS Sonoma.
Open Microsoft Word, click on Help in the top menu bar, select Check for Updates, and follow the prompts to install the latest build.
If the issue persists, keep Word open, navigate to Help > Feedback > Report a Problem, and detail the gray screen issue to ensure Microsoft prioritizes the patch.
Use WPS Office to View and Edit Footnotes Without Glitches
If Word for Mac continues to display a gray screen, switch to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that seamlessly handles Word documents and footnotes without compatibility bugs on macOS.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free Mac version.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, click 'Open', and select your existing .docx file.
- 3. View Footnotes Properly: Scroll through your document or navigate to the References tab to view and edit footnotes smoothly without any gray screen rendering issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word for Mac turn gray in Outline or Draft view?
This is part of the same known macOS Sonoma and Word 16.81 compatibility bug. The rendering engine fails to display the text properly in Draft, Outline, and Footnote views, resulting in a blank gray screen.
Are my documents corrupted when the screen turns gray?
No, your documents are completely safe. The gray screen is strictly a visual rendering issue in the user interface, not file corruption. The text and footnotes are still there.
Can I downgrade my version of Word for Mac to fix this?
Yes, uninstalling your current version of Microsoft Word and downloading an older build (prior to 16.81) from your Microsoft account history may temporarily bypass the bug until a permanent patch is released.
