I am using Word for mac 16.92.

In previous versions there has always been markers in the vertical ruler for the top and bottom of text on the page, (top and bottom margins) to enable you to move the margin up and down within the document. There are no markers whatsoever in the vertical ruler.

I'm not sure if they can be enabled in settings somewhere but cannot for the life of me find any.

I hope that i have described the problem coherently, and would welcome any advice as this is a tool I use regularly. Thank you

Are you saying that you can't see the header/footer area? In that case, you have to make sure that the document is displayed in Print Layout view and that you (re-)display the so-called white space between pages (Word Preferences > View).

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I would never use those in the Ruler to change margins. The vertical ruler displays on the left side of the page.
I guess if you are changing it for the entire document it should be OK. I prefer to use the layout dialog.
Changing top and bottom margins for part of a document should insert a next page section break.


In the Windows version the margin shows in a different color. If I move my mouse pointer over that border it turns into a double-end arrow to allow moving.