Fix Word for Mac Showing Only Last Digit in TOC Page Numbers
Question details
The Table of Contents generated from custom field codes is dropping characters, showing only the final digit of each page number.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Creating or updating a Table of Contents using custom field codes in a document.
- Observed behavior
- When the Table of Contents generates, only the rightmost digit of the page numbers is displayed instead of the complete page number.
Verify your current Word installation version by clicking 'Word' in the top Mac menu bar and selecting 'About Microsoft Word', as this bug is specifically prevalent in version 16.67.
Report the Bug and Check for Software Updates
Since this is recognized as a known bug in Word for Mac version 16.67, the official resolution path is to report it to Microsoft and install patch updates as they become available.
Microsoft relies on direct user reports to identify, track, and patch version-specific application bugs. Updating your software ensures you receive the fix once released.
Open Word for Mac, go to the Help menu, and select 'Submit Feedback'. Describe the issue where your custom field code TOC drops all but the last digit.
Navigate to Help > Check for Updates in your Mac menu bar. If a version newer than 16.67 is available, install the update to see if the engineering team has successfully patched the bug.
Use Built-In Heading Styles Instead of Custom Field Codes
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using custom field codes and instead generate your Table of Contents using Word's default heading styles, which typically bypasses this display error.
Use WPS Office to Easily Manage and Format Documents
When Microsoft Word bugs disrupt your document formatting, WPS Office serves as a highly compatible, reliable, and completely free alternative for macOS. It offers a familiar user interface and smoothly handles complex formatting, ensuring your Table of Contents displays accurate page numbers without truncation.
- 1. Download the Mac Application: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for macOS.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your existing .docx file. Your custom field codes will be natively supported.
- 3. Update the TOC: Right-click the Table of Contents and refresh it to instantly view properly formatted, complete page numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Table of Contents only show the last digit of the page number in Word for Mac?
This is a known formatting bug specifically identified in Word for Mac version 16.67. It occurs when a Table of Contents is generated utilizing custom field codes rather than standard automated styles.
Can I downgrade my Word for Mac version to fix this bug?
Yes, uninstalling the current buggy version and installing an older release from the Microsoft Office Update release history can temporarily bypass this bug until Microsoft releases a permanent patch.
Will generating a standard Table of Contents trigger this same bug?
Typically, no. The truncation bug specifically impacts TOCs built using custom field codes. If you use standard heading styles and the built-in automatic TOC templates, the page numbers usually render correctly.
Does updating macOS resolve the Word TOC issue?
Generally, no. This specific issue is tied entirely to the Microsoft Word application's handling of document field codes rather than the operating system. You must update the Word application itself once a patch is available.
