Office for Mac Issues

How to Stop Microsoft Word for Mac from Starting with Automatic Numbering

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent new blank Microsoft Word documents on a Mac from automatically starting with a numbered list format.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Creating a new blank document in Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Every new blank document begins with '1.' on the first line because automatic numbering was inadvertently added to the default Normal paragraph style.

Before you start

Ensure all active Microsoft Word documents are saved and closed before modifying or resetting the default Normal.dotm template to prevent any loss of unsaved formatting changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the Normal Style to Remove Numbering

This is the primary and most direct method to fix default formatting issues without resetting your entire template.

By modifying the 'Normal' style directly within Word, you can correct the default paragraph settings for all future documents without losing other custom styles or macros.

Open a new document

Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac and create a new blank document.

Access the Style menu

Navigate to the top menu bar, select 'Format', and then click on 'Style'.

Modify the Normal style

In the Style dialog box, select the 'Normal' style from the list and click the 'Modify' button.

Remove the numbering format

Click on the 'Format' dropdown menu in the bottom-left corner of the window and select 'Numbering'. Choose 'None' to remove the automatic numbering.

Save changes to template

Click 'OK', check the box that says 'Add to template' (or 'Save to Normal.dotm') to ensure this fix applies to all new documents, and click 'OK' again.

Changes Applied Successfully: Once saved to the template, all newly created blank documents will start with standard, unnumbered text.

Solution 2

Rename the Normal.dotm Template to Reset Defaults

If modifying the style directly does not work, renaming the Normal template forces Word to generate a fresh, uncorrupted default template upon its next launch.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package tailored for macOS.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word document always start with a number 1?

This happens when the default 'Normal' paragraph style in your underlying Word template (Normal.dotm) has been accidentally modified to include an automatic numbered list.

Where is the Normal.dotm file located on a Mac?

On macOS, the Normal.dotm file is typically hidden in your user Library folder. The path is usually: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates.

Will I lose my saved documents if I rename or delete Normal.dotm?

No. Renaming or deleting the Normal.dotm template will not affect or delete your existing saved documents. It only resets your default styles, margins, and custom macros back to their original factory settings.

How can I permanently turn off automatic list formatting in Word for Mac?

You can disable the auto-format feature globally by going to Word > Preferences > AutoCorrect, selecting the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, and unchecking the box for 'Automatic numbered lists'.

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