How to Fix Incorrect Quotation Marks in Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to correct the orientation of quotation marks that persistently face the same direction, even after being deleted and retyped.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Typing a manuscript for publication where strict, consistent formatting of dialogue and typographical quotes is required.
- Observed behavior
- Word for Mac occasionally formats both the opening and closing quotation marks in the same direction despite deleting and retyping them without spaces.
Ensure there are no accidental spaces between the quotation marks and the enclosed text, as spaces can trick the word processor into inserting an opening quote instead of a closing one.
Verify and Apply the Correct Language Setting
Word may automatically change the language while you type, which alters how typographical quotation marks behave. Applying a consistent language format fixes this.
Different languages have different typographical rules for quotation marks. If Word's automatic language detection switches the language at your insertion point, the quotation marks will follow the rules of the newly detected language, leading to backwards or inconsistent quotes.
Click exactly at the insertion point where the incorrect quotation mark appears in your document.
Go to the 'Tools' menu at the top of your Mac screen and select 'Language'.
Choose your primary language (e.g., English) from the list. To prevent future changes, you can optionally disable 'Detect language automatically'.
Click 'OK', then delete the incorrect quotation mark and retype it. It should now face the correct typographical direction.
Toggle Smart Quotes in AutoCorrect Settings
Resetting the 'Smart Quotes' AutoFormat feature can sometimes clear background glitches causing quotation marks to face the wrong way.
Use WPS Office to Ensure Consistent Manuscript Formatting
If Word for Mac continues to give you formatting headaches with automatic language detection and smart quotes, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, highly compatible word processing environment without the frustrating auto-formatting glitches, making it perfect for preparing professional manuscripts.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and install the application.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word manuscript directly; all formatting will remain intact.
- 3. Edit with Confidence: Continue typing your manuscript with consistent, predictable quotation marks and typography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my quotation marks face backwards in Word for Mac?
This typically happens if the text language accidentally switches in the background, if there is an unintended space before the punctuation, or due to a glitch in the 'Smart Quotes' AutoFormat feature.
How do I type a straight quotation mark instead of a curly one?
You can quickly undo a smart (curly) quotation mark by pressing 'Cmd + Z' immediately after typing it, which reverts it to a straight mark. You can also permanently disable 'Smart Quotes' in the AutoCorrect preferences.
Can copying and pasting text cause quotation mark issues?
Yes. Pasting text from different sources or web pages can carry over different language settings or hidden formatting characters. This causes Word to apply the wrong quotation mark direction based on the pasted formatting.
