How to Fix Word Readability Statistics Showing Zero on Mac
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where document readability statistics show a score of zero in Microsoft Word on Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Checking a document's Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scores after writing or editing content.
- Observed behavior
- The readability statistics fail to calculate properly, showing a zero score alongside potentially inaccurate word counts.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save any open documents before proceeding with software updates or modifying application preferences.
Update macOS and Microsoft Word
Outdated software is the most common reason readability formulas fail to calculate. Updating your operating system and Word application resolves these calculation glitches.
Readability statistics rely on accurate word, syllable, and sentence counts. Bugs in older versions of Word or macOS can disrupt these counts, resulting in a zero score. Updating to the latest software version patches these known bugs.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), and navigate to 'General' > 'Software Update'. Install any available updates.
Open Microsoft Word. In the top menu bar, click on 'Help' and select 'Check for Updates'.
If the updater says no updates are available but your Word version is outdated (e.g., older than 16.65 on Ventura), update the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool itself first, then check for Word updates again.
Configure Spelling & Grammar Preferences
Verify that Word is properly configured to process readability statistics during the spelling and grammar check.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Editing on Mac
If Microsoft Word continues to show calculation errors or you are looking for an affordable alternative without expensive subscriptions, WPS Office is an excellent choice. It provides a lightweight, fast, and free solution for creating, editing, and proofing documents on your Mac.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the App: Open the downloaded installer and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and easily open your existing .docx files to continue writing and proofing without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Flesch Reading Ease score showing exactly 0.0 in Word?
A score of exactly 0.0 usually indicates a software glitch where the proofing tool fails to accurately count syllables or sentences, which are required for the Flesch readability formula. Updating Word and macOS typically resolves this bug.
Where can I find the readability statistics in Word for Mac?
After enabling 'Show readability statistics' in Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar, you need to run a complete spelling and grammar check on your document. A dialog box displaying the word count and readability scores will automatically appear once the check is finished.
Will fixing the readability statistics alter my document's formatting?
No, updating your software or changing the proofing preferences to display readability statistics does not change your document's layout, text, or formatting. It only affects how Word calculates and reports writing metrics.
What if my statistics still show zero after updating Word and my Mac?
If updates do not work, copy your text and paste it into a brand-new Word document to see if the issue is specific to the original file. If the new document also fails, you may need to completely uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office.
