Pointer (cursor) disappears when using MBA (2013) trackpad to move into italicized text in Mac for Word 2011

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

I have had this same issue. Some research hasn't turned up much except a suggestion to disable autohiding the rulers, but that's been of no help. I'm runing Office 2010 on a 2013 MBA 11.

I have run Office on another account and confirmed that the issue is not specific to my specific user account. I have also booted in Safe Mode and the error persists.

What do we do next? 🙂

I too have a new MBA and the problem is driving me crazy; it is a if someone has decided to teach us not to use italics in word. None of the above tests have worked for me. I do wonder whether this is a problem that arises from transfering all my files and aps from my previous MBA (I used my time machine back-up). I did not re-install word/office.

Yes - what DO we do next?

I see this periodically and not just with italics so it may not be the same issue. For me, quiting Word and restarting resolves it.

For me the problem persists through rebooting and is always related to italics only.

Well, the tests were just tests to see how persistent the problem is. Thus far, I have foun zero workarounds, even temporary ones. Rebooting the MBA or restarting Word helps not at all. I'm gratified at least to hear that others are having the same issue. I'm not having some one-off freak issue. 😉

I'm havin thte same issue: pointer/cursor missing entirely when I try to highlight italicized text.

Anyone find a solution to this yet?

None yet. I've reported the issue to Microsoft, too.

I'm also having this problem. Haven't found any way to deal with it yet though.😠

Me, too. Same problem MBA 2013. My computer's a month old.

Same problem with italics MBA 2013

i have the same problem with my mba 2013. today i updated my office 2011 with the service pack 3 and the problem is still the same...

now it's getting really weird... during all the tests and adjustments to see this annoying cursor in italic texts, i had the idea to connect my mba 2013 to an external display by airplay. i connected my mba with my samsung tv via airplay. first in the mirror mode and then in the expand mode it was the same. in my open word document on the mba display the cursor appeared correctly within the italic text part in the word document... so now i don't understand anything...

😮 that's all I can say. 😮