Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Delayed Unicode and Georgian Text in Excel for Mac

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users experience a typing delay when entering Georgian or specific Unicode characters in Excel for Mac, where the text remains invisible until the Enter key is pressed.

How to Fix Delayed Unicode and Georgian Text in Excel for Mac

Product: Microsoft Excel for Mac
Device & OS: macOS Sonoma
Scenario: Typing data using Georgian or Unicode fonts in Excel spreadsheets.
Observed behavior: Characters do not appear on the screen in real-time while typing; they only render and become visible after the user presses the Enter key.

Before you start

Save your current spreadsheets and ensure your Mac has an active internet connection, as resolving this bug requires checking for the latest system and application updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS and Microsoft 365

Since this rendering delay is a known bug frequently triggered by the macOS Sonoma update, installing the latest patches for both your operating system and Office suite is the most effective fix.

Microsoft and Apple frequently release patches to address compatibility issues and font rendering bugs. Ensuring both systems are on the latest versions can restore real-time text input.

Update macOS

Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available for macOS Sonoma, click 'Update Now'.

Update Excel for Mac

Open Microsoft Excel, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.

Restart and Test

Once all updates are installed, restart your Mac. Open Excel and type using your Georgian or Unicode font to verify the delay is gone.

Stay Updated: Keeping Microsoft AutoUpdate running in the background ensures you receive critical bug fixes as soon as they are rolled out.

Solution 2

Report the Rendering Bug to Support Channels

If updating does not resolve the typing delay, submitting a detailed bug report helps Microsoft and Apple deploy a permanent fix in their upcoming update cycles.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac for Flawless Text Rendering

If Excel for Mac continues to struggle with Unicode and Georgian text delays on macOS Sonoma, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet editor that handles multiple languages and complex fonts seamlessly without typing lag.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for macOS.
2. Install and Open: Install the application, launch WPS Spreadsheets, and open your existing .xlsx files directly.
3. Edit Without Delay: Start typing with your Georgian or Unicode fonts and experience real-time character rendering without needing to press Enter.

Smooth real-time rendering of Unicode and international fontsFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsLightweight and optimized for the latest macOS versionsFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does text only appear after I press Enter in Excel for Mac?

This is often caused by a rendering bug between the Excel application and the macOS font engine. It has been particularly observed after the macOS Sonoma update when typing with specific Unicode or Georgian fonts.

Does this delayed text issue affect other Office applications?

While most commonly reported in Excel, similar rendering delays can occasionally happen in Word or PowerPoint if they share the same outdated font rendering components on macOS.

Can changing the font fix the typing delay?

Yes, sometimes switching from a specialized Unicode font to a standard system font like Arial or Helvetica can serve as a temporary workaround until a system patch resolves the underlying bug.

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