Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Apostrophe After Word Page Numbers on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove an unwanted apostrophe character that automatically appears next to specific page numbers in a Microsoft Word document.

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Formatting document headers and footers with automated page numbering.
Observed behavior: A small apostrophe is incorrectly displayed after page numbers 1 through 99, while page numbers 100 and above format normally.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, ensure you have saved a backup copy of your document and that your Mac is connected to the internet to check for software updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS and Microsoft Office

Software glitches involving field codes are often patched in official updates. Installing the latest versions is the most effective first step.

Microsoft frequently releases updates to fix known formatting bugs in Word for Mac. Ensuring both your operating system and the Office suite are fully updated can automatically resolve anomalous character insertions.

Update macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, go to System Settings (or System Preferences), select General, and click Software Update. Install any pending macOS updates.

Update Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to launch Microsoft AutoUpdate. Download and install all available updates for Word.

Test the Document

Restart your Mac, open your document again, and check the footer to verify if the apostrophe after the page numbers has disappeared.

Solution 2

Inspect Footer Formatting and Contact Microsoft Support

If updating does not resolve the issue, the document's footer formatting may be corrupted and requires inspection by Microsoft Support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Bug-Free Mac Experience

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to display formatting glitches like unwanted apostrophes, consider trying WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that processes document formats flawlessly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing DOCX file directly.
3. Edit Without Glitches: Easily insert or adjust page numbers without worrying about unexpected formatting errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word DOCX, DOC, and TXT formats.Reliable page numbering and header/footer formatting tools.Lightweight design that runs smoothly and quickly on macOS.Familiar and intuitive user interface requiring zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the apostrophe only appear on pages 1 to 99?

This usually indicates a bug in how the software processes specific field codes for one-digit and two-digit numbers compared to three-digit numbers. It is a recognized display anomaly in certain versions of Word for Mac.

Can I manually delete the apostrophe in the footer?

If the apostrophe is part of the automated field code glitch, manually deleting it might delete the entire page number field. It is better to try updating your software or toggling the field codes to inspect the formula.

Will this unwanted apostrophe show up when I print the document?

Yes, if the apostrophe is visible on your screen in Print Layout view, it will generally be printed on the physical document or included when exporting the file to PDF.

How do I view the hidden formatting codes for page numbers on Mac?

You can toggle field codes in Word for Mac by pressing Option + F9 on your keyboard. This allows you to see if an extra text character is hidden within the page numbering bracket formula.

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