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

This worked for me:

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

Can someone, anyone please help here. I have just posted the same thing on the Microsoft forum after spending about 4 hours trying to sort this - reinstalling Word etc. I have a book due in two days - great use of time. The footnote pane flashes for a second and then returns to that grey nonsense. Show Notes does the same thing. There is a bug somewhere.

Exactly the same problem here. I have created a work-around by converting all my endnotes to footnotes, and then working in Print Layout view mode, which at least means I can see/edit footnotes without scrolling to the end of the document. But it is still very annoying.

Exact same issue. I have PhD applications due in 9 days and I cannot remove the endnote continuation separator from my writing sample because of this issue. Does anyone know of a way to remove the separator without using draft view?

Ever since I updated my MacBook to Sonoma I have had this problem. Just DL'd latest update Jan 2024 and still I cannot see footnotes in draft view. Only the grey page. I have submitted to Ms and to Apple so many times. It is a terrible service. There is no work around that works. Tried all the suggestions. I have advised everyone I know not to update to Sonoma. FIX IT PLEASE.

Me too. I might have written your post myself!

I have the same problem. I called Apple and Microsoft and I have uninstalled Word. Nothing works. It all started when I got Sonoma.

Hi, I have 16.84 (Office 365), and the latest update seems to have fixed the problem.

yes! what a relief, no more policing updates and threatening family members borrowing my macbook with serious consequences if they accept updates in a carefree manner!

Joy unbounded!!!

As others have said, thanks to kev.esteves for flagging this again, and Professorwendy for taking one for the team in testing the latest update.

I am using Word for Mac (Microsoft 365 Subscription) on version 16.85, running on OSX Sonoma 14.4.1, and everything now seems to be working fine for me. Finally.

Thank you both! I just updated to 16.75 and confirm, it is fixed.

redundant response... yes it worked for me as well... thank you all for reporting this...

I just purchased a brand new IMac as my old one, which worked just fine, but had compatibility issues due to updates, so it forced my hand. I am an academic/writer like many on this thread, so a large portion of my work is writing in Word (in draft). I am writing a book, and when I tried to enter or to see existing footnotes/endnotes, they flashed and then a large grey field appeared. I then found this thread. The reinstall did not work for me (I tried 2x). I scheduled a session with Apple was "upgraded" to Tech then to a Tech supervisor, who basically told me "too bad, nothing we can do here, call Microsoft." As others have noted, neither MS nor Apple will do anything. I am beyond infuriated. The callous disregard for a systemic problem, caused my Apple changing their operating system that they in turn, will do NOTHING to help, is infuriating. I am speechless. And stuck.

Given these statements above I finally updated on my Mac (after moving to previous versions, and then ignoring months of update invitations) to Version 16.85 and it seems to be working well. I appreciate people posting here since I wouldn't have bothered to shift for months if these statements above hadn't been made or come into my email. The hassle of updating only to have to revert to previous versions would have been a pain. But so far, all good.