'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Word for Mac Styles List Too Large and Running Slowly
Question details
The user is experiencing performance degradation and user interface glitches in Microsoft Word for Mac, specifically noting that the application runs slowly and style names no longer fit properly within the Styles list.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Formatting a document using styles in Word after a recent system or application update.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word runs unusually slowly, and the style names appear incorrectly sized or too large to fit normally within the Styles list interface.
Before making changes or reinstalling applications, ensure you have verified your current macOS and Microsoft Word version numbers, and complete a full backup of your important documents.
Reinstall Word from the Official Microsoft Website
Switching from the Mac App Store version to the direct download version often resolves persistent UI scaling and performance bugs.
The Mac App Store version of Microsoft Office operates in a slightly different sandbox environment compared to the standalone installer. Reinstalling directly from Microsoft can often resolve update-related graphical glitches like oversized styles lists.
Open the Applications folder on your Mac in Finder, locate Microsoft Word, and drag the application to the Trash.
Navigate to the official Microsoft Office website in your browser, sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your subscription, and download the Office installer package for Mac.
Run the downloaded .pkg file, follow the installation prompts, and then open Word to check if the Styles list size and application performance have returned to normal.
Test Word in Mac Safe Mode and Reset Preferences
Booting into Safe Mode clears system caches and helps identify if background applications are causing Word to run slowly.
Experience Fast, Glitch-Free Word Processing with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Word continues to suffer from slow performance and UI bugs like oversized Styles lists on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly optimized, lightweight alternative that provides robust document editing without the sluggishness.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install it on your Mac.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents seamlessly to continue editing with perfect formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Word for Mac running so slowly after a recent macOS update?
Major macOS updates can introduce compatibility issues with existing Office installations, or system caches may become corrupted, resulting in sluggish performance and unusual graphical bugs like oversized text in panels.
Will uninstalling Word from my Mac delete my saved documents?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft Word application does not delete your .docx files or personal data. However, it is always recommended to back up your important files before making system changes or reinstalling software.
How can I report this Styles list bug to Microsoft?
You can report the issue directly from within Word by clicking on 'Help' in the top menu bar and selecting 'Feedback'. Note that while Microsoft uses this data to fix bugs, they generally do not respond to individual feedback submissions.
