Equations not visible in Draft and Outline view

Issue

You are working on a document where the equations had usually been displayed. When you open it, the document has spaces where the equations should be, but the equations aren't there.

Reason

The equations are there; they're just not visible. Word should open a document in the view where it was last saved. If you are working in Print view, then save & close the document. It should still be in Print view when you reopen it. It's also important to know that in Word 2016 for Mac, no "objects" (equations, Excel charts, etc.) will be visible in Draft or Outline views. Objects should still be visible in those views, but they're not. Only Microsoft can change this.

Solution

Equations will not be visible as long as you're in Outline or Draft view. Therefore, you must switch to a different perspective to see the equations.

If you're in Outline view, you'll see an Outlining tab to the left of the Home tab on Word's ribbon. If that tab's not already selected, click fix it, then click Close Outline View.

If you're in Draft view, there's not a separate tab for that view, so click the View tab and choose any perspective other than Draft or Outline.

We hope this has been helpful. As always, please let us know if you have questions about this or if you have additional techniques that work. We'd love to hear from you.