Word for Mac editor function does not work

Question

Word for Mac editor function does not work

Robert Green 0

MacBook Air running current Tahoe OS. Office 365 apps all current upgrades. The editor function in Word counts 1/1,000 of the words in the document. The editor function checks only a small portion of the document.

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Answer 1

EmilyS726 251.9K Independent Advisor

Hello, what's your MacOS version number?

Also, what's your Office app version?

Open any Office application, such as Word and create a new document. For example, go to Word and choose About Word.. In the dialog box that opens, you can see the version number as well as the license type. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/lc-account/about-office-what-version-of-office-am-i-using

Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T15:52:04.31+00:00

Mac OS version : Tahoe 26.5.2

Word version: 16.111
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T15:59:32.38+00:00

Problem example: In an 87,000 word document the editor function word count result is 87 words. Readability statistics are similarly inaccurate. When the editor function was working it took several minutes to analyze the document. Now it takes a few seconds. The editor function does not seem to analyze the whole document. I checked for language compatibility and properly ticked boxes in spelling and grammar menus.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T16:04:36.81+00:00

Is this problem unique to this document only, or it doesn't matter which document?

What happens if you select all, make sure all texts are selected, then run the count while they remain selected. Does the result differ?
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T16:06:12.11+00:00

Just ran editor function again. Same result.

The page count (327) and word count (87,307) at the bottom of the document window are correct. The editor function word count is 87.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T16:11:14.21+00:00

Result is the same for all documents.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T16:13:41.7333333+00:00

Selected all text. Ran editor function. Result is the same. 87 words.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T16:16:30.9366667+00:00

Did you notice this issue after any recent upgrade of the apps? To test it out, uninstall the current apps.

Then download and install the slightly older version released from Jun 2026, see if it makes any difference. https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/mro1cdnstorage/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.110.26062818_BusinessPro_Installer.pkg
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T16:28:21.7666667+00:00

Hi EmilyS726. Thanks for your help.

This problem began in November 2025. Local computer repair person loaded an old version of Word. That worked until Monday, 7/13/2026. I was forced to upgrade all Office 365 apps at that time because Word ceased to function. The problem reappeared and persists.

Repair person claims an incompatibility between Mac OS and recent versions of Word. Repair person says it can’t be fixed. I can’t believe Microsoft would allow this problem to persist.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T16:32:49.2566667+00:00

Did the June installation present the same issue? If so, we can try the one further back https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.102.25101223_BusinessPro_Installer.pkg
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T16:47:24.2933333+00:00

I’m scared to uninstall the most recent version of word, then reinstall an older version because yesterday I discovered that the older version of Word ceased to function. I could open documents but not work on them. I had to install all current Office 365 upgrades to get Word to work.

I don’t think using an older version of Word will work. anymore. Question is: Why doesn’t the latest version of Word in Office 365 provide a working editor function?
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T16:49:55.36+00:00

Does the web version work?

I think it is just a bug. This version is fairly new, just released last the last two days.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T17:04:53.1633333+00:00

Right. New version on 7/13. But prior versions did not work either. The Word editor function stopped working properly in about November 2025.

I don’t know anything about the web version but I want to work with a version of Word that is resident on my computer. I don’t want to work with a web version. I pay an annual subscription fee for Office 365.

So, if I understand you, you are not aware of any solution for the dysfunctional editor function for the current version of Word for Mac (Office 365) that resides in users’ computers. Is that correct?
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T17:09:49.9466667+00:00

Not trying to suggest that you use the web version as a long term replacement. More like, test it and see if it presents the same issue. https://www.office.com > click on 9 dots on upper left to access app.

I cannot find any published known issue regarding this by Microsoft, but I do know the latest one has a lot of other issues, mostly the 0x0 activation issue.

I understand that it had issue back in Nov 2025, but since you stayed on an older version between then and now, so if any bugs were to be fixed by any release between then, you wouldn't know. So it is hard to say that all releases from Nov to now carry this same issue. Without testing, I can't know for sure. Sorry.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T17:21:15.2133333+00:00

Thanks. I understand. This problem is too difficult for me. I guess I’ll have to pay another $150 to have a repair person check the web version and perhaps earlier versions of Word.

The scary part is that Word ceased to function on 7/13. I HAD to upgrade to get it to work again. I write for a living and I have to use Word. How do I know that if an earlier version of Word is installed it won't cease to function again? This is bad. I do not feel that, as a Mac user, I can trust Microsoft.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T17:25:11.4133333+00:00

Don't rush to spend money on anyone/any service yet.

The web version is super easy and it will not interfere with your desktop version at all. If it works, it can be a temporary workaround for now, until new desktop version release comes out and you can then see if it addresses the issue.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T17:34:36.8133333+00:00

I may try it but this stuff is scary for me. You understand it. I don’t. After Word ceased to function last night I’m scared to use any other versions. Maybe the repair person won’t charge me this time.

Please report this issue to Microsoft if you can. I’m paying $99 per year for my subscription to Office 365. I’m getting a product that does not work. I am seriously thinking of registering a complaint with the U.S. Consumer Protection Agency.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T17:51:24.1966667+00:00

Robert, like I said, the web version happens directly via web browser, it will not do ANYTHING to your installed Word right now. Completely two separate things.

You simply launch your web browser, go to https://www.office.com, sign in, then click on the 9-dots on the upper left, find Word, and launch it from there.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T17:58:43.1166667+00:00

Thanks. I may try it. If the web version works and I decide to use it, will my subscription to Office 365 pay for the web version too?

FYI, I use DuckDuckGo. Will this cause any problems?

Also FYI, the repair person said apparently Microsoft has no intention of fixing the problem in Word (Office 365) resident on Mac computers. Just sayin’.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T18:04:41.69+00:00

DuckDuckGo is not the problem here. You can use any web version. Web version is always free, but with your subscription, it connects to your OneDrive which is bigger than free version.

I don't like what your repair person said. That's gaslighting. Microsoft documents issues and fixes via release notes. If they have no intention of fixing any problem, what's the point of those notes in articles like the ones below. It is a process and bugs are being discovered and fixed, especially for a release that's only two days old, not all bugs are already discovered with know fixes.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-office-for-mac

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/support/known-issues/fixes-or-workarounds-for-recent-issues-in-word-for-mac
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T18:32:52.3866667+00:00

Can you report the problem with the Word for Mac editor function or show me how to do so? It has been a problem for months.

The local repair person is highly rated and seems trustworthy. This person offered the same suggestions you offered: a.) load an older version, b. use the web version.

I wonder if Microsoft is trying to steer customers to their web based software versions by ceasing to fix some bugs in their resident software versions? That’s my local repair person’s idea. Buggy resident software would be a good strategy, but leaving unresolved bugs for months at a time gives a bad impression, like I have. Why not just tell users to migrate to the web version and slowly discontinue the resident version?
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T18:48:01.4533333+00:00

You can report it here. https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/f9bcd76b-51a7-ed11-aad0-000d3a1f4287

Come on Robert, let’s not jump to speculation. All tech companies, not just Microsoft have bugs with each new release. You only tried that one old version from prior to Nov, in between there have been quite a new releases which you didn’t try at all, so there’s no way to say in confidence that the bug exists in all those versions.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T19:10:30.4866667+00:00

Fair enough.

I just tried to go to office.com so I could use the web app. I tried to sign in. My email address was recognized. When I clicked on ‘sign in’ I was sent to a page that did not load. It was just blank. I hate this. I HATE IT. I just learned there’s a word for this: enshttification.

I’ll probably just continue to use my enshittified version of Word. I am stuck with a product that does not work. I apparently have no recourse. There are no solutions to the resident application. I can’t get to the web-based application. Consumer Protection Agency here I come . . . (for all the good that will do me).

Thanks for trying.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T20:26:37.6933333+00:00

Try a different web browser, Safari, Edge, or Google chrome.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T20:40:21.7266667+00:00

Good idea. I’ll keep trying to resolve the editor dysfunction. I posted the problem on a Microsoft forum. I’m also filing with the CPA.

With your knowledge perhaps you could try to solve the problem. Be more helpful than coaching me to do it.

Here’s a fun Youtube video from the Norwegian Consumer Council: A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T20:47:53.0966667+00:00

Alright Robert, it is totally up to you if you want to try that. I cannot force you, but I am simply trying to help. And if you notice the badge under my name, I am "independent"; I don't work for Microsoft. Your frustration toward Microsoft is not helping me in any way while trying to figure out ways to make it easier for you. It is out of my control.
Robert Green 0 Reputation points

2026-07-15T20:58:50.8366667+00:00

You’ve been good. I get that you’re not Microsoft. I also recognize that you can accomplish way more than me. You know your stuff. If it’s out of your control what hope is there for me?

Watch the video. Apparently I’m not the only victim of enshittification.
EmilyS726 251.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-15T21:02:26.6066667+00:00

Just let me know if you need help with other browser options. Safari should be already on the computer as that's the MacOS browser.

I just cannot help you with your complaints on Microsoft because that's not something I can address or change, nor will I complain along. That's not productive and won't get us anywhere. But I am happy to continue to figure out why web doesn't work, as it should.