Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Blank Squares When Using Black Page Color in Word for Mac

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users experience unexpected white squares or display artifacts across lines of text when changing the document page color to black.

How to Fix Blank Squares When Using Black Page Color in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Changing the document background color to black via the Design tab to reduce eye strain while reading or editing.
Observed behavior: White blank squares and graphical rendering artifacts appear across the lines containing text on the black background.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure your macOS and Microsoft Word are updated to their latest versions, as display glitches are frequently patched in newer software releases.

Solution 1Recommended

Use macOS and Word Dark Mode Instead of Page Color

Using built-in Dark Mode changes the application interface and canvas to a dark theme without altering the actual document formatting, avoiding the display glitches associated with page color changes.

Changing the actual page color via the Design tab modifies the document's structure, which can cause text rendering bugs and consume heavy ink if printed. Utilizing Dark Mode is the optimal workaround for dark-screen reading.

Revert the page color to default

In Microsoft Word, navigate to the 'Design' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Page Color', and select 'No Color' or 'White' to remove the black background.

Enable System Dark Mode

Open your Mac's 'System Settings' (or System Preferences), click on 'Appearance' in the sidebar, and select 'Dark' to switch your entire OS, including Word, to a dark theme.

Configure Word Dark Mode settings

Open Word, go to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'General' in the top menu bar. Under the 'Personalize' section, ensure that 'Dark Mode has a dark page color' is selected so the document canvas matches the dark interface.

Use macOS and Word Dark Mode Instead of Page Color

Brightness Adjustments: Using Dark Mode together with macOS Night Shift might make your screen appear too dark. You may need to manually adjust your display brightness for optimal comfort.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Flawless Document Editing with WPS Office for Mac

If Microsoft Word continues to display graphical artifacts on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with native eye-protection modes for comfortable reading and editing.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and move it to your Applications folder.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word (.docx) files without losing any formatting.
3. Enable Eye Protection: Click the 'View' tab and select 'Eye Protection Mode' or 'Dark Mode' to comfortably read without experiencing blank square artifacts.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and other major Office formats.Native Eye Protection and Dark Modes optimized for Mac without text artifacts.Lightweight installation and smooth performance on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.Free to use with a highly familiar user interface for seamless migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do white squares appear when I change the page color to black in Word?

This is a known graphical rendering artifact in certain versions of Microsoft Word for Mac (such as version 16.77). It occurs when the app struggles to render text highlights or paragraph shading against a manually applied dark page background.

Does changing the page color to black affect printing?

Yes, modifying the page color via the Design tab alters the document's actual background. If you attempt to print the document, it may print a solid black page, draining your ink. Using Dark Mode instead only changes your on-screen display.

How do I keep the page white while using Dark Mode for the Word interface?

In Word for Mac, go to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'General'. Under the 'Personalize' section, look for the Dark Mode options and select 'Dark Mode has a white page color'. This keeps your app menus dark while the document canvas remains white.

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