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How to Fix Word for Mac Line Numbers Appearing on the Right Side
Question details
Line numbers in Microsoft Word for Mac are unexpectedly appearing on the right side of the page instead of the left for all newly created documents.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Creating a new blank document after previously opening a downloaded or shared file that utilized right-sided line numbering.
- Observed behavior
- New documents automatically inherit the right-sided line numbering and potentially right-to-left text direction, while older previously saved documents remain unaffected.
Before modifying Word's core templates, ensure you have saved and closed all currently open documents to prevent any unsaved data loss.
Reset the Default Word Template (Normal.dotm)
Use this solution if all new blank documents exhibit the right-sided line numbering issue, which indicates the default template has been overwritten.
Microsoft Word uses a global template file called Normal.dotm to dictate the default layout, font, and margins for all new blank documents. When this template accidentally adopts settings from another document, resetting it will clear the corrupted formatting.
Ensure Microsoft Word for Mac is completely closed. Right-click the Word icon in the Dock and select 'Quit'.
Open Finder. In the top Apple menu bar, click 'Go', hold down the 'Option' key to reveal the hidden 'Library' folder, and click it. Alternatively, click 'Go to Folder'.
Navigate to the following path: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates.
Find the file named 'Normal.dotm'. Right-click it, select 'Rename', and change it to 'Normal_old.dotm'. Do not delete it yet, just in case you need to restore previous macros.
Open Microsoft Word and create a new blank document. Word will automatically generate a fresh, default Normal.dotm file with standard left-sided formatting.
Check Text Direction and Line Numbering Options
Apply this solution if the problem is isolated to a specific document rather than all new files.
Experience Hassle-Free Formatting with WPS Office for Mac
Tired of dealing with persistent template corruption and unexpected layout changes in Microsoft Word? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative for Mac users that won't randomly alter your default document layouts.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office package for Mac from the official website and install it.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Right-click your existing .docx files and choose 'Open with > WPS Office' to view them without formatting errors.
- 3. Enjoy Stable Editing: Create new documents with peace of mind, knowing your default layouts remain perfectly intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on normal line numbers in Word for Mac?
To enable line numbers, open your document, go to the 'Layout' tab, click on 'Line Numbers', and choose 'Continuous' or 'Restart Each Page' depending on your formatting needs.
Why did my Word template change settings unexpectedly?
Opening a document with embedded template macros or accidentally clicking 'Set as Default' when modifying a downloaded file's layout can overwrite your global Normal.dotm file, forcing all new files to adopt those settings.
Does resetting the Normal.dotm file delete my saved documents?
No. Resetting or renaming the Normal.dotm template only resets the default starting blank page for new documents. Your existing saved files and their contents will remain completely unaffected.
Can right-to-left languages cause line numbers to shift?
Yes. If a document includes elements of Right-to-Left (RTL) languages like Arabic or Hebrew, or if the RTL paragraph direction is triggered, Word will automatically move the line numbers to the right margin to match the text flow.
