Fix Word for Mac Selection Highlight Missing or No Color
Question details
The user needs to restore the visible blue text-selection highlight in Microsoft Word for Mac after it disappeared, especially for moving, deleting, or reviewing text with Track Changes.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- The user selects text in Word for Mac to move, delete, or review tracked changes after an update.
- Observed behavior
- Selected text shows no expected blue highlight or has no visible color, making it difficult to identify moved or deleted content.
Open the affected Word for Mac document and check whether Track Changes is active. Note the current markup view, such as Simple Markup or All Markup, because selection highlighting behaves differently when revisions are shown.
Check and Change Track Changes Display Settings in Word for Mac
Use this first when selected text or revisions appear without a visible highlight while Track Changes is active.
Track Changes view modes can hide or change the appearance of selected and revised text. Switching to a view that shows revisions clearly often restores a usable highlight for reviewed content.
In Word for Mac, click the Review tab in the ribbon at the top of the document window.
Look at the Track Changes button in the Review tab. If it is shaded or active, track changes are being recorded.
Click the Markup Options or Display for Review menu and select All Markup to show insertions, deletions, and formatting changes inline.
Click Show Markup, choose Balloons, and select Show Only Formatting in Balloons or Show Revisions in Balloons so deleted content is easier to locate.
In the Review tab, click Previous Change or Next Change to move through revisions and verify that each tracked change now appears with a visible color.
Change Track Changes Revision Colors in Word for Mac
Use this if revisions exist but appear without a color swatch or only one color is visible.
Adjust macOS Accent or Highlight Color
Use this when Word selection highlighting disappeared after a macOS update or when Word's internal color settings are not enough.
Use WPS Office as a Free Word for Mac Alternative with Clear Selection and Review Tools
If Word for Mac selection highlight issues disrupt your editing, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, easy-to-use alternative. It keeps familiar ribbon-based reviewing tools, opens and saves .docx files faithfully, and makes tracked changes and selected text clearly visible on macOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no blue highlight when I select text in Word for Mac after an update?
The update may have changed the macOS accent or highlight color, or Word for Mac may be using a Track Changes view that does not display selected text clearly. Check Apple menu > System Settings > Appearance and Word menu > Preferences > Track Changes.
How do I see tracked deletions if the selected text has no color?
Open the Review tab in Word for Mac, choose All Markup from the Display for Review menu, click Show Markup > Balloons, and select Show Only Formatting in Balloons or Show Revisions in Balloons. Then use Previous Change and Next Change to locate deletions.
Can I change the Track Changes color back to blue in Word for Mac?
Yes. Click the Word menu > Preferences > Track Changes, then assign visible colors for insertions, deletions, comments, and formatting. If the color swatches are missing or only red appears, also adjust the macOS accent and highlight color in System Settings > Appearance.
Will WPS Office open my Word for Mac document with tracked changes?
Yes. WPS Writer opens .docx files and supports tracked changes and comments, and selected text remains visible during review, making it a practical free alternative for Word for Mac editing tasks.
Is this missing highlight caused by Track Changes or by my Mac?
Both can contribute. Start in Word for Mac by checking the Track Changes view and revision colors, then check the macOS highlight color in System Settings. If the issue remains, opening the same .docx file in WPS Office can help you continue editing without losing track of selections.
