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Fix Scrambled Text in Microsoft Web Apps on Chrome and Edge
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where text appears scrambled or encoded on Microsoft websites and web apps when using Chromium-based browsers on a Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Web Apps (Microsoft 365, SharePoint)
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Accessing Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or Microsoft account settings pages using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Observed behavior
- Text renders as unreadable or scrambled characters in Chrome and Edge, despite the same pages loading and displaying perfectly normal in Safari.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials available, as troubleshooting browser issues may require you to sign back into your account after clearing data or restarting the system.
Verify Mac System Settings and Update Browsers
Incorrect system configurations for time or region can cause rendering and security certificate issues, leading to scrambled text on secure Microsoft pages.
Since Chromium browsers rely heavily on system-level settings for secure connections and font rendering, ensuring your Mac's core settings are accurate is the first line of defense.
Open the Apple Menu and go to System Settings. Navigate to General, then select Date & Time and Language & Region to ensure they automatically reflect your correct current location.
Click the Apple Menu and select Restart. Once the Mac boots up, open your browser and sign back into your Microsoft account.
Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome to install updates. Repeat the same process in Microsoft Edge via Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
Isolate Browser Data and Extensions
Corrupted browser cache or conflicting third-party extensions can interfere with how Microsoft web pages render text in Chrome and Edge.
Try WPS Office Desktop for a Reliable Experience
If browser-based Microsoft web apps continue to display scrambled text on Chrome and Edge, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, native desktop application suite for Mac, completely bypassing browser rendering issues.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version of the software.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without needing a web browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does scrambled text happen on Chrome and Edge but not Safari?
Chrome and Edge are both built on the Chromium engine, which handles font encoding and regional data differently than Safari's WebKit engine. A glitch in Chromium's interaction with macOS settings can cause text to encode incorrectly on complex web apps.
Will clearing my browser cache delete my saved passwords?
No, as long as you do not check the 'Passwords' box when clearing your browsing data. Ensure you only select 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached images and files' in the clearing menu.
What should I do if the text is still scrambled after following all steps?
If clearing data, disabling extensions, and updating your system does not work, the issue may be on Microsoft's end related to your specific account routing. You will need to contact Microsoft Support for further account-level investigation.
