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How to Fix Word for Mac Scrolling and Blue Box Editing Issues
Question details
The user is experiencing unexpected scrolling, a blue box appearing around the document, and an unresponsive keyboard when using Word on a MacBook Air.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac (version 16.91)
- Device & OS
- MacBook Air 2020 / macOS
- Scenario
- Editing documents in Microsoft Word on macOS
- Observed behavior
- Word scrolls unexpectedly, displays a blue outline/box around the text, and causes the keyboard to become unresponsive. Troubleshooting steps like updating and copying text have failed.
Ensure your macOS is fully updated and manually save a backup copy of your current document before making any changes to your system settings or Microsoft Word preferences.
Disable Natural Scrolling in macOS
Turning off natural scrolling in macOS system settings can resolve unexpected scrolling behavior in Word.
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
Scroll down in the left sidebar and click on Trackpad or Mouse, depending on which device you are using.
Go to the Scroll & Zoom tab and toggle off the switch for 'Natural scrolling'.
Close Microsoft Word entirely and reopen it to test if the unexpected scrolling issue has been resolved.
Remove Word Preferences and Cache Files
Corrupted preference files can cause UI glitches like the persistent blue box and keyboard unresponsiveness.
Revert to an Earlier Version of Microsoft Word
If the issue is specific to a recent update like Word 16.91, reverting to a previous stable build can restore normal functionality.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Mac Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to have unexpected scrolling or cursor glitches on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that offers highly compatible document processing without the heavy resource usage or persistent update bugs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Word Document: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open your existing .docx files to continue editing without glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a blue box appear around my text in Word for Mac?
A blue box in Word for Mac is typically caused by a rendering glitch in a specific software update (like 16.91), or by macOS accessibility settings such as VoiceOver or Full Keyboard Access highlighting the active text element.
How do I turn off Full Keyboard Access on a Mac?
Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, navigate to Accessibility, click on Keyboard, and toggle off the Full Keyboard Access option to see if the blue box disappears.
Will deleting Word preference files delete my documents?
No, removing cache and preference files from the hidden macOS Library folder only resets application settings and custom UI configurations. It will not delete or alter your saved Word documents.
