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Help to find the best version: font smoothing of text in Word for Mac

Anonymous
2022-09-04T21:43:20+00:00

Hi everyone! The question is to those who use non-retina displays and still on older macOS, such as High Sierra. Which is the last version of Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac which supports subpixel antialiasing (font smoothing)? I know it was viciously removed at some point, but I don't know when exactly. (Of course, I want the latest version, but with good fonts – as I could download any version here: Update history)

So I have now Microsoft Office Standard 2019 version 16.27 and it supports font smoothing, on my non-retina iMac letters in Word documents are sharp and good-looking.

At the same time, I know somewhere in 2020 Microsoft nuked good fonts, as I know exactly the version 16.43 (the last which supports High Sierra) has no font smoothing. There were similar complaints from people at that time (like here or here) and for me the difference between 16.27 and 16.43 is pretty obvious.

So the question is: what is the last Office 2019 version before 16.43, that has good old font smoothing and don't make you cry? Maybe someone is still on this version by any chance?

Thanks!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-09-06T18:17:17+00:00

    So I made a little investigation and installed every version before 16.43.

    I found that font smoothing was quietly removed in version 16.41, that appeared to be just a security update (!). And of course Microsoft Office team didn't share this in release notes.

    Here's the difference (for fullscreen view):

    16.40

    16.41

    Note, that the difference can be better seen on "low resolution" (1920x1080) screen. However, you may see the difference in this way:

    16.40

    16.41

    Believe me, on Full HD monitor it's night and day. If you are not on Full HD monitor now, you may need direct comparison (like opening these images in different tabs or alongside each other) to see the difference.

    Sadly, the date smooth text was removed forever wasn't commemorated 😊, as it was really an end of the era. Anyway, I found the right version (Office 2019 16.40), so I hope this will help someone.

    P.S. It would be nice if Office team tell someone when they stop supporting thousands of displays/computers models. Thank you! 🙂

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  2. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-09-08T18:46:30+00:00

    Hi

    It's quite possible Microsoft is not even aware that there was change beginning with build 16.41

    Please let them know. Use the Menu Bar and choose Feedback > I Don't Like Something.

    You might paste a link to this thread so they can see your screen shots.

    If you're interested in testing beta builds, you might be eligible. Beta builds are weekly. This would give you a chance weekly to let Microsoft know whether or not they successfully squashed this bug.

    Welcome to the Office Insider for Mac community!

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-09-05T19:58:28+00:00

    Well, I understand that developers won't bother to support old versions. Moreover, Apple itself ditched subpixel antialiasing since macOS Mojave, so it would be strange to request something from Office team. Therefore I can just ask the community 🙂

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-09-05T04:44:33+00:00

    Dear Bohdan Koles,

    Good day! Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

    From description, you want to get the last Office 2019 version before 16.43 which has good font smoothing.

    As far as we know, we don't find any official article mentioning about this Office version. We do understand the frustration and apologize for it.

    On one hand, we sincerely recommend you send feedback by clicking Help menu > Give Feedback in Word, which is the best way to let developers know your requirements and help improve the product.

    On the other hand, welcome community members who have similar experience to share insights and suggestions here.

    Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

    Hope you keep safe and healthy always!

    Sincerely,

    Tina | Microsoft Community Moderator

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