Office for Mac Issues

Fix Word for Mac Screen Turns Gray When Using Show Notes

Adam Davis Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where the document editing area turns gray when attempting to view footnotes.

Fix Word for Mac Screen Turns Gray When Using Show Notes

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS Sonoma
Scenario: Using the Show Notes feature in Draft or Web Layout view to check or edit document footnotes.
Observed behavior: A split screen briefly opens, and then the document area completely turns gray, hiding the text and preventing editing.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all your open documents and back up your work to a secure location before restarting your Mac or modifying your Office installation.

Solution 1Recommended

Restart Mac and Update Microsoft Office

Restarting your system and installing the latest Office updates can resolve unexpected display conflicts with macOS Sonoma.

In many cases, rendering issues like the gray screen bug in Word are caused by temporary OS glitches or outdated software versions.

Ensuring both your macOS and Microsoft Office suite are up to date is the best first step to restoring normal functionality.

Restart your Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select Restart to clear any temporary system glitches.

Check for Office updates

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'.

Install available updates

Follow the on-screen prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to download and install the latest versions of your Office apps.

Report the Issue: If the problem continues after updating, use the Help > Feedback menu in Word to report the bug to Microsoft, including your exact macOS and Office version numbers.

Solution 2

Revert to Office Version 16.77

If the latest update contains a specific bug on macOS Sonoma, downgrading to a stable previous version (such as 16.77) can bypass the issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac for a Bug-Free Document Experience

If Microsoft Word continues to experience display glitches on macOS Sonoma, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and managing your documents and footnotes without display errors.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free Mac installation package.
2. Install and Launch: Complete the installation process, launch WPS Office, and set it up on your Mac.
3. Open Your Document: Open your .docx file in WPS Writer and continue managing your notes and footnotes seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsSeamless footnote and endnote management without gray screen bugsLightweight application optimized for macOS performanceFree to download and use with a familiar, easy-to-use interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word document turn gray on macOS Sonoma?

This is often caused by a compatibility bug or rendering glitch between Microsoft Word's split-screen "Show Notes" feature and macOS Sonoma's display handling.

Does this gray screen issue affect Print Layout view?

Typically, this specific issue occurs when selecting "Show Notes" in Draft or Web Layout views. Switching back to Print Layout view may temporarily bypass the display glitch, though it may change how footnotes are displayed.

Will reinstalling an older version of Word cause me to lose my documents?

No, uninstalling or downgrading the Microsoft Word application does not delete your personal document files. However, it is always highly recommended to back up your files first.

How do I report this bug to Microsoft?

You can report the issue directly to the development team by opening Microsoft Word, clicking on "Help" in the top menu bar, and selecting "Feedback". It helps to include your macOS and Office versions along with a screenshot.

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