MS Word installation - Word for Mac - unwanted text boxes

Question

MS Word installation - Word for Mac - unwanted text boxes

Lee McFarlane 0

Am I able to uninstall just my current Word app in MS 365 on my laptop and download it once more from my account? [Moved by moderator to Mac forum]

Kyro Stella 5 Reputation points

2026-06-24T10:14:55.76+00:00

Yes, you can reinstall Word, but with Microsoft 365 it's usually better to repair the Office installation rather than uninstalling Word by itself. Word is typically installed as part of the entire Microsoft 365 suite, so removing only Word isn't always an option.

Try going to Settings > Apps > Microsoft 365 > Modify and run a Quick Repair first. If that doesn't resolve the issue, run an Online Repair. As a last resort, you can uninstall Microsoft 365 completely and then sign in to your Microsoft account and reinstall Office from there.

Before doing so, make sure your documents are backed up and that you know the Microsoft account associated with your subscription.
Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-24T15:28:59.1166667+00:00
Hi Kyro,

I modified your title to help future users. The confusion arose because you posted your question in the Windows forum and ended up with initial Windows answers until you told Dave you were on a Mac. If you have future questions or need more help, I recommend posting in the appropriate Mac forum.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/1484/m365-office-office-word-home-macos

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5677122/(article)-how-to-ask-a-question-in-the-q-a-forums

Answer recommended by moderator

DaveM121 933.9K Independent Advisor

I have somehow ended up having what starts on every new document what looks like a 'text box', know they're not 'text boxes,' just using name for whatever this is. However the left side of the 'text box' isn't a solid line with the cursor flashing. If I press enter, a new 'text box' automatically appears below. I have tried using the advice to remove borders, page breaks, you name it I've tried it. The page allows me to type in the 'text boxes' but if I click halfway down the page, the 'text boxes' instantly multiply.

Thank you for that information, try this solution. Open Word.

Go to Word - Preferences - View, and uncheck the 'Text Boundaries' setting.

Does that resolve the problem in Word.

Lee McFarlane 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T10:11:26.72+00:00

OMG thank you so much, that worked. I'm truly appreciative of your help. Cheers
DaveM121 933.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T10:12:15.64+00:00

I am glad that solved the problem for you, glad to help!

1 additional answer

Your answer

Kyro Stella 5 Reputation points

2026-06-24T10:14:55.76+00:00

Yes, you can reinstall Word, but with Microsoft 365 it's usually better to repair the Office installation rather than uninstalling Word by itself. Word is typically installed as part of the entire Microsoft 365 suite, so removing only Word isn't always an option.

Try going to Settings > Apps > Microsoft 365 > Modify and run a Quick Repair first. If that doesn't resolve the issue, run an Online Repair. As a last resort, you can uninstall Microsoft 365 completely and then sign in to your Microsoft account and reinstall Office from there.

Before doing so, make sure your documents are backed up and that you know the Microsoft account associated with your subscription.
Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-24T15:28:59.1166667+00:00

Hi Kyro,

I modified your title to help future users. The confusion arose because you posted your question in the Windows forum and ended up with initial Windows answers until you told Dave you were on a Mac. If you have future questions or need more help, I recommend posting in the appropriate Mac forum.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/1484/m365-office-office-word-home-macos

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5677122/(article)-how-to-ask-a-question-in-the-q-a-forums
Lee McFarlane 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T10:11:26.72+00:00

OMG thank you so much, that worked. I'm truly appreciative of your help. Cheers
DaveM121 933.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T10:12:15.64+00:00

I am glad that solved the problem for you, glad to help!

Answer 1

DaveM121 933.9K Independent Advisor

Open the Settings App.

Go to Apps - Installed Apps.

Scroll down to find Microsoft 365 (Office).

Select that and choose Modify - Online Repair

That should fix any issues with your Office Installation.

Is that process successful?

If not, please provide a screenshot of the error you see during that process and also the error you see when you try to uninstall Office from your laptop.

Lee McFarlane 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T08:52:55.59+00:00

Sorry, I should have mentioned I have a MacBook. Each MS App appears individually, I cannot find Microsoft 365 Office.
DaveM121 933.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T09:00:50.32+00:00

If you are using the Office apps on a Mac, that process will not work, on this link are the steps provided to uninstall Office from your Mac, you cannot uninstall the apps individually, the full Office suite needs to be uninstalled.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/uninstall-office-for-mac

What problem are you trying to resolve by uninstalling Word?
Lee McFarlane 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T09:46:22.0533333+00:00

omg, It's complicated lol. I thought uninstalling then reinstalling would be download back as the default application. I have somehow ended up having what starts on every new document what looks like a 'text box', know they're not 'text boxes,' just using name for whatever this is. However the left side of the 'text box' isn't a solid line with the cursor flashing. If I press enter, a new 'text box' automatically appears below. I have tried using the advice to remove borders, page breaks, you name it I've tried it. The page allows me to type in the 'text boxes' but if I click halfway down the page, the 'text boxes' instantly multiply. I'd appreciate any help, I've attached a photo of a new document just opened. See on the left side of the 'text box'.