Office for Mac install incomplete

Glen White 0 Reputation points
2026-03-06T18:37:38.9333333+00:00

I purchased Office 2024 and installed it, but when I try to use Word is says my license isn't active and will not let me edit or create without purchasing 365.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-06T18:38:01.6133333+00:00

    The installed Office apps are still tied to the old Microsoft 365 subscription and are not using the new Office 2024 license. Remove the old license files and then reactivate with the correct account/license.

    Follow these steps on the Mac:

    1. Quit all Office apps
      • In Word (or any Office app), go to the top-left menu and choose Word > Quit Word (and similarly for Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) so everything is closed.
    2. Reset Office license credentials
      • Open Spotlight (magnifying glass in the top-right of the screen).
      • Search for and open Keychain.
      • In Keychain, search for Office.
      • Delete the Office data license file entries.
      • Then run the license removal tool to remove remaining license files.
    3. Reinstall/repair Office if needed
      • If Office was originally installed from the Mac App Store or from an old 365 install, uninstall those apps:
        • Open Finder > Applications.
        • Control-click Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and choose Move to Trash.
      • Download and install the correct Office for Mac installer for the purchased Office 2024 product (for example, using the appropriate Office 2024 for Mac installer package if provided with the purchase).
    4. Activate Office 2024 with the correct account
      • Open Finder > Applications and start Microsoft Word.
      • In the “What’s New” window, select Get Started.
      • On Sign in to activate Office, select Sign in.
      • Enter the email address that has the Office 2024 license (this may be a Microsoft account used to redeem Office 2024) and select Next.
      • Enter the password and select Sign in.
      • The system checks for a valid license and activates Office. Select Start Using Word.

    If prompted to activate Microsoft 365 instead of Office 2024, ensure the sign-in account is the one that actually owns the Office 2024 license, not the old work/school Microsoft 365 account. If multiple licenses exist on the account, follow the “Activate with multiple licenses” guidance in the activation article to choose the correct one.

    If activation still fails or continues to prompt for a Microsoft 365 subscription after these steps, follow the troubleshooting guidance in the Office for Mac installation/activation issues article.

    References:

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