How to Fix Blank Footnotes Screen in Draft View After Sonoma Update in Word 16.79.1

if it worked before then maybe something changed that requires ms to make an update to resolve it

maybe they are working on it

Contact support within Outlook for Mac - Microsoft Support

Didn’t work for me

Hello, does anyone know if this is this still an issue on 16.85? Thanks.

I found a workaround for this problem since there have been no solutions posted that work. I used another family laptop that likely had not been upgraded as current as mine. My wife's Mac did not even have Msword activated. I opened the file on her Mac. It asked me to activate my 365 account. I opened MS Word and edited the footnotes and endnote separator in draft mode as usual. I sent the file back to my laptop, and renamed it was good to go!

Thank you, but this did not work for me.

This is really annoying! I also am an academic and work mainly in draft mode and want/need to access the fnotes.

I do note that my office desktop has not been upgraded to Sonoma..and I have no problem accessing the fonotes there in draft form with 16.80. I am not enough of a techie to say anything further about this, but, here at home, the hassle started with Sonoma.

YES! This worked thank you for sharing!

This worked for me:

First thing is Uninstall Word. (just move the app to the trash no need to empty)

Do not load the WORD version found in the app store.

Instead Use this link: https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_Word_16.78.23100802_Updater.pkg

YES! This worked thank you for sharing!

This worked for me:

First thing is Uninstall Word. (just move the app to the trash no need to empty)

Do not load the WORD version found in the app store.

Instead Use this link: https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_Word_16.78.23100802_Updater.pkg

Also after awhile Word might state that an update is available if you update then you'll be back to square one with Footnotes not available in Draft view so you might want to turn off the Word Auto Update feature under Help dropdown.

Brilliant, that works for me too!

I was reluctant to uninstall and then reinstall using that link, but in the end it took just a few minutes, and seems to have completely solved the issue.

Thanks so much for this advice.

You may have just saved me some serious stress. I was exporting files from Scrivener for my dissertation, and the separator line needed to be moved for the footnotes, but I couldn't do it due to the problems you described. These instructions saved me great pain.

Uninstall Word.

Do not load the version in the app store.

Use this link: https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_Word_16.78.23100802_Updater.pkg

Microsoft, please fix this!

Hi Captain et al,

I got a reply from MS––they suggested updating to Sonoma 14.3.1 which I did not want to do (other bugs apparently). BUT they gave me link to all versions of MS Office, and suggested I could install an older version as a temporary fix. Link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac

I de-installed Word 16.82 (the latest where he incompatibility lies), and installed first 16.79, same problem, so I went to 16.69 (same version I have on my laptop, which has Mojave) and it worked!!!! Footnotes are there in draft, using my new IMac with Sonoma.

FYI, it asks you to sign into MS 365 to use, but does not force you to update to 16.82.

Good luck all!

Thank you to everyone for the tips. Unfortunately, I'm on a university-owned computer and can't install the MS Word from that random link. Until MS fixes the issue, I'm using Mac pages. I found you can export a Mac Pages document to MS Word. The endnotes get turned into Roman numerals, but you can then convert them to Arabic numerals by right-clicking them and formatting them.

The problem is with Microsoft's Word update, not Apple. The work-around is to usae the older Word version, like 16.78. Unfortunately, you can't even report this to Microsoft unless you're using 16.82, which is the cause of the problem. If anyone actually subscribes to Microsoft 365 and has access to tech support, we'd appreictae your reporting it.

Hello, I also am at a university, so I understand, as if it's a university owned machine so you are probably not an 'admiinstrator' so can't modify anything (my home computer is the new one with the issues).BUT I am sure your IT department can do this for you; they just de-install Word (not the whole Office suite) and install the older version (as I note, I had to go to 16.89 not to have the issue). No harm no fowl. If you return the laptop for any reason, they can then update to the newer Word. It does not impact the machine at all.

Good luck.

Hi, I reported it to Microsoft as we have a 365 account. This is the reply I got: (I also sent to MS Word feedback as they suggest here).

I have spent more time on this aggravation than I care to tally, and am happy to share my wisdom as here; I still think it is important for as many as possible to let Apple know of the issue, as their upgrade is the origin of the glitch.

"Dear respected

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

I’m sorry you’re having a problem and for the situation you encountered, we deeply understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it.

As per your description, firstly you may try to update you Mac OS Sonoma version 14.2 to Mac OS Sonoma 14.3.1and then see if there is any difference with Word latest version 16.82. 

If doesn't work from your side, then (as a templorary)you may download the old Word version from this page: Update history for Office for Mac, you can only install Word package as well.

Meanwhile, I think you may report this behaviour to Microsoft Word product developer Team (we also submit feedback from our side as well).

As Microsoft get their attention is through the feedback mechanisms and Microsoft roll out fix bug requested from Microsoft 365 customers. I recommended you may also let your valuable request to Microsoft Word product developer related Team through the feedback mechanisms.

In this scenario, we sincerely recommend you, regarding to your concern, I request you, please send your feedback via this link: Microsoft Word feedback portal, Microsoft product developers team monitor this site 24/7 and they will receive your request. This is the best platform to let related team hear from you and make the products and services better for you and others.

I'm Really Sorry and I apologize for it.

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation."

I had the exact same problem and going back to 16.78 as suggested worked for me. So my next question is which update versions have this fixed. Does anyone know? At this point, I have to keep denying the update.