Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Hindi Text Displaying Incorrectly in Excel for Mac

Natalie TaylorNatalie Taylor Nov 3, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter display problems when typing Hindi text in Excel for Mac, including text not appearing until the cell is committed and vowel marks displaying in the wrong positions.

How to Fix Hindi Text Displaying Incorrectly in Excel for Mac
Product
Microsoft Excel for Mac
Device & OS
macOS
Scenario
Typing Hindi characters and short vowel marks into spreadsheet cells.
Observed behavior
Hindi text remains invisible during live input and only appears after pressing Enter. Additionally, short Hindi vowel marks render in the incorrect position, despite displaying properly in Microsoft Word for Mac.
Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection to download potential Office updates, and verify if the same Hindi text renders correctly in other applications like Word for Mac to confirm it is an Excel-specific issue.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Excel for Mac to the Latest Version

Installing the most recent Microsoft Excel update can resolve known rendering bugs affecting Hindi fonts from previous builds.

Display issues with Hindi characters and vowel marks were noted in specific Excel updates (such as version 16.43 and 16.44). Microsoft frequently releases patches to address language rendering glitches, so running the latest version of Excel is the first step to resolving this problem.

1
Check current Excel version

Open Excel for Mac. From the top menu bar, click on 'Excel' and select 'About Microsoft Excel' to see your current version number.

2
Open Microsoft AutoUpdate

Click on the 'Help' menu at the top of the screen and select 'Check for Updates' to launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.

3
Install available updates

Click the 'Update' button to download and install the latest patches. Once the update is complete, restart Excel and test the Hindi text input again.

Update Excel for Mac to the Latest Version
Check release notes: If you are on an Insider or Beta channel, consider switching to the Current Channel for more stable text rendering.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Multilingual Text Rendering

If Excel for Mac continues to struggle with displaying Hindi vowel marks properly, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative that excels in rendering diverse languages and fonts accurately across all your spreadsheets.

  1. 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website, download the Mac version, and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install it.
  2. 2. Open your Excel file: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click 'Open', and select your existing .xlsx file to continue working without formatting loss.
  3. 3. Type Hindi text seamlessly: Input your Hindi text directly into the cells and experience real-time, accurate rendering of all characters and vowel marks.
Free and lightweight Office suite optimized for macOS.High compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats.Reliable rendering for diverse languages, including complex Hindi scripts.Familiar user interface allowing for a seamless transition without a learning curve.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

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

This is a known rendering glitch affecting specific versions of Excel for Mac (such as version 16.44). The live input feature fails to display the complex script until the cell data is fully committed.

Does this Hindi display issue affect Microsoft Word for Mac?

No, typically the same Hindi text and short vowel marks render correctly in Microsoft Word for Mac. The issue is strictly isolated to the cell rendering engine used in Microsoft Excel.

How can I check my current version of Excel for Mac?

Open Excel, click on the 'Excel' menu located at the top left of your Mac's menu bar, and select 'About Microsoft Excel'. A dialog box will appear displaying your current version and build number.