Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Word for Mac Document Properties Print Setting Reverting

Rana Garcia Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent Word for Mac from continuously reverting the print setting that causes an extra document properties page to print.

How to Fix Word for Mac Document Properties Print Setting Reverting

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Modifying the print preferences to stop printing document properties, but the application fails to save the setting after restarting.
Observed behavior: The Document Properties option under Word > Preferences > Print remains enabled after restarting, resulting in an unwanted extra page printing with every document.

Before you start

Ensure you save all currently open documents before modifying application preferences or running software updates. It is also helpful to note down your exact macOS and Word version numbers in case you need to escalate the issue to support.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS and Microsoft Office

Outdated software builds often contain bugs affecting preference saving. Updating ensures you have the latest patches applied to fix these glitches.

Software glitches involving persistent application preferences are frequently resolved in routine patch updates from Microsoft and Apple.

Check for macOS Updates

Click the Apple menu and select 'System Settings' (or System Preferences). Navigate to 'General' > 'Software Update' to download and install any pending macOS updates.

Update Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'Help' in the top macOS menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the Microsoft AutoUpdate prompts to install the latest Office version.

Test the Print Setting

Restart Word, navigate to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'Print', uncheck 'Document Properties', quit the app entirely, and reopen it to verify if the setting persists.

Keep AutoUpdate Enabled: Leaving Microsoft AutoUpdate enabled helps prevent similar preference bugs in the future.

Solution 2

Test in a New macOS Standard User Account

Corrupted user profile preferences can prevent Word from saving customized print settings. Testing in a fresh profile helps isolate the issue.

Solution 3

Apply a VBA Macro Workaround

If the issue is document-level or unresolvable by updates, a macro can force the print settings to adjust dynamically.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac for Reliable Document Printing

Tired of dealing with corrupted preferences and bugs in Word for Mac? Switch to WPS Office. It provides a familiar, lightweight, and completely free alternative that handles your documents seamlessly without forcing unwanted extra pages.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and run the installer.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents (.docx) instantly.
3. Print Hassle-Free: Navigate to the print menu to easily print your files exactly as you intend, without phantom properties pages.

Flawless printing controls without the frustrating bugs or reverting preference settings.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc), ensuring seamless document migration.Lightweight design that runs smoothly and efficiently on macOS.Intuitive interface that feels familiar right out of the box.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word for Mac print an extra page with document properties?

Word includes a specific setting under its Print Preferences that instructs the application to print document metadata (such as author, word count, and creation date) along with the file. If this setting gets stuck or enabled by default due to a software bug, it prints an extra page every time.

Where is the Document Properties print setting located in Word for Mac?

You can find this setting by opening Word, clicking on 'Word' in the top macOS menu bar, selecting 'Preferences', and then clicking on 'Print'. Look for the 'Document Properties' checkbox under the 'Include with document' section.

How do I reset a corrupted Word preference file on Mac?

Close Word, open Finder, hold the Option key, and click 'Go' > 'Library' in the top menu. Navigate to the 'Containers' or 'Preferences' folder, locate the files associated with 'com.microsoft.Word', move them to the desktop, and restart Word to force the app to generate fresh preference files.

Can a Microsoft 365 admin fix this print issue remotely?

If you are using a managed business device, your organization's IT policies might be overriding local print settings on your Mac. In these cases, your IT administrator may need to adjust the deployment profiles or create a support ticket directly with Microsoft Online Support.

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