screen document and printed document do not match.

Question

When I print an OFFICE document (Word, Xcel) what is on the screen does not match the printed page. Seemingly random lines of text disappear on the printed document. This just started -- worked fine a few days ago. I have an Imac and a WP printer.

Answer 1

Convert a Word document to PDF and then print the PDF from your preferred PDF viewer. Do you still observe the problem? In that case, the problem may be with the printer.

Answer 2

Use this sequence to isolate whether the problem is the document, Word/Excel, or the printer path on the iMac:

1. Create a new test file in the same app.
   • In Word or Excel, select File > New.
   • Add a few lines of sample text and print it.
   • If the new file prints correctly, the original file is likely the problem.
2. Test another file from the same app.
   • If only one document drops lines when printed, that points to document corruption or document-specific content.
   • For Word, see How to troubleshoot damaged documents in Word.
3. Change the font in the test document and print again.
   • If printing works after changing the font, the issue is likely related to the font used in the document.
   • The simplest fix is to use a different font.
4. Print from another program on the Mac.
   • Open Notes, create or open a note with sample text, then select File > Print.
   • If Notes prints correctly, the issue is likely with the Microsoft 365 app installation.
   • If Notes also fails, the problem is more likely the printer driver or printer configuration.
5. Make sure macOS is fully updated.
   • Select the Apple menu and choose Software Update.
   • Install any available updates, restart the iMac, and test printing again.
6. Check whether the printer is paused or the queue is blocked.
   • Click the printer icon in the Dock to open the printer queue.
   • If Resume appears, select it.
   • If jobs are stuck, delete the failed job and try printing again.
7. If Office apps are the only place where printing fails, run an Office repair path by reinstalling Office for Mac.
   • The Mac troubleshooting guidance indicates that if other apps print successfully but Microsoft 365 apps do not, uninstalling Office from the Mac and reinstalling it may be required.

This pattern usually means one of three things:

• a damaged document,
• a font problem,
• or a printer driver/configuration issue if the same behavior happens outside Office.

---

• Troubleshoot printing problems in Microsoft 365 apps
• Troubleshoot printing problems in Microsoft 365 apps
• Troubleshoot printing problems in Microsoft 365 apps