how to fix word on macbook

To troubleshoot issues with Microsoft Word on your MacBook Air M1, especially regarding printing, saving PDF files, and paper size settings, you can try the following steps:

1. Check for Updates: Ensure that both your macOS and Microsoft Word are up to date. Sometimes, issues can arise from outdated software.
   • You can verify or install the latest updates for Office by following the instructions in the Microsoft documentation.
2. Verify Printer Settings: Make sure your printer is correctly set up and selected in Word. You can check this by going to File > Print and ensuring the correct printer is selected.
3. Reset Word Preferences: Sometimes, resetting Word preferences can resolve issues. To do this, you can delete the Word preferences file, which forces Word to create a new one.
4. Reinstall Word: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling Microsoft Word. This can fix any corrupted files that may be causing problems.
5. Check for Document-Specific Issues: If the problem occurs with a specific document, try creating a new document to see if the issue persists. Sometimes, documents can become corrupted.

If these steps do not resolve your issues, you may want to consult the Microsoft support documentation for further troubleshooting steps specific to your situation.

References:

• Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or use Word
• Troubleshooting issues with Universal Print on macOS

Dear Thippaporn Tharbpayasan

Welcome and thank you for sharing your issue in the Q&A forum.
Based on the information shared, here is a comprehensive guide for resolving issues related to Printing, Saving to PDF, and Paper Size in the Word application on a MacBook Air M1.

1.Issue: Cannot Print: Based on my personal experience, please follow these steps to check the printing functionality between the printer and the MacBook

Basic Checks: Restart the MacBook and the Printer. Ensure the printer is powered on and has no error lights. Check for sufficient paper and ink/toner. If using Wi-Fi, confirm the printer and MacBook are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

MacOS systems check: Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Printers & Scanners. If the printer shows an error status, try removing it (select printer > press the "-" sign) and add it again (press the "+" sign). Try Resetting the Printing System (Control-click the list of printers and select "Reset Printing System..."). Note: This removes all installed printers.

2.Issue: Cannot Save to PDF File:

A. Using Save As

• In the Word document, go to the File menu on the Menu Bar.
• Select Save As (or press Command + Shift +S).
• In the Save window, look for the File Format dropdown menu.
• Scroll down and select PDF (.pdf).
• Click Save.

B. Using the macOS Print to PDF Function

• In Word, go to File > Print (or press Command + P).
• Look for the Show Details button and click it to expand the dialog box.
• Check the bottom-left corner of the expanded Print dialog for the PDF dropdown menu.
• Click the PDF menu and select Save as PDF.

3.Issue: Adjusting Paper Size:

A. Using the Layout Tab

• Open the Word file.
• Select the Layout tab (or Page Layout tab).
• In the Page Setup group, click on Size (or Paper Size).
• Select the desired paper size 

B. Using the Page Setup Dialog

• In the Word menu bar, go to File.
• Select Page Setup (or Page Attributes).
• A settings dialog box will appear. 
• Here, you will find the Paper Size dropdown menu.
• Select the required size A4 or Letter.

If the issue persists, consider checking your Office version and rolling back to a previously stable build. This depends on how Office was installed:

-If installed from the Mac App Store: You cannot roll back to a previous version. Your only option is to uninstall the App Store version and reinstall Office by downloading it from the Microsoft website: Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac

-If installed from the Microsoft Website (Retail/Web Download): You can roll back by:

• Uninstalling your current version of Office.
• Visiting the Update history for Office for Mac page and downloading the installer package for a stable older version (e.g., 16.100 or 16.99).

After updating or rolling back, to prevent automatic updates:

• Go to Word >> Help >> Check for Updates
• Uncheck Automatically download and install

Additionally, consider updating your computer's macOS operating system to the latest version, as this often resolves compatibility issues with Microsoft Office and system-level printing functions.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while this issue is resolved. We hope these steps are helpful. If you need further assistance or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support you.

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