Read only files

Question

Read only files

Jo M 20

I am unable to edit any Microsoft documents on my Mac. They are now all read only. I have tried to update Microsoft but I don't seem to be able to. I think my Mac was purchased in 2021. Can you help?

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Answer accepted by question author

Estrella721 45,810 Independent Advisor

Hi,

There was an update to Microsoft 365 and Office on macOS starting July 13, 2026: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/update-m365-office-macos-ios

What is the current version of macOS you are using? Make sure your Mac is updated and running macOS 12 or later.

To check for updates, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update, then click Update Now. Apply all available updates.

Then, also check if your Office apps are updated to the latest version.

Close all Office applications and open Microsoft AutoUpdate by going to Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate. Select Update All, or update Word individually if an update is available. Once the updates are complete, open Word again and try activating it.

If you installed Word from the Mac App Store, open the App Store, select Updates, and update Microsoft Word or select Update All.

If your Mac cannot be updated to the required macOS version, you can use Office on the web or use Office on a different supported device.

Jo M 20 Reputation points

2026-08-31T22:54:55.83+00:00

Thank you. I have version 12.7.6 on my mac. I think it might be the Office that isn't updated but it seems to be struggling to do it. It is saying 7 days and 12 hours remaining for it to do the update. I will definitely try and use Office online. Thank you again.
Estrella721 45,810 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-31T22:57:08.13+00:00

You're welcome. If you're using macOS Monterey 12, please note that Microsoft only supports Office up to version 16.88 on this version of macOS. Any newer Office release requires macOS Sonoma (14) or later.

If your Mac cannot be upgraded beyond Monterey 12, uninstall your current Office apps and install Office version 16.88, which is the last compatible version for macOS Monterey.

https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.88.24081116_Installer.pkg
Jo M 20 Reputation points

2026-09-02T13:53:59.0533333+00:00

Hi Estrella721,

Following your advice, I now have Word and Excel back and working on my Mac! I am so pleased as I need them for work. Thank you so so much!

Jo 😊

1 additional answer

Your answer

Jo M 20 Reputation points

2026-08-31T22:54:55.83+00:00

Thank you. I have version 12.7.6 on my mac. I think it might be the Office that isn't updated but it seems to be struggling to do it. It is saying 7 days and 12 hours remaining for it to do the update. I will definitely try and use Office online. Thank you again.
Estrella721 45,810 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-31T22:57:08.13+00:00

You're welcome. If you're using macOS Monterey 12, please note that Microsoft only supports Office up to version 16.88 on this version of macOS. Any newer Office release requires macOS Sonoma (14) or later.

If your Mac cannot be upgraded beyond Monterey 12, uninstall your current Office apps and install Office version 16.88, which is the last compatible version for macOS Monterey.

https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.88.24081116_Installer.pkg
Jo M 20 Reputation points

2026-09-02T13:53:59.0533333+00:00

Hi Estrella721,

Following your advice, I now have Word and Excel back and working on my Mac! I am so pleased as I need them for work. Thank you so so much!

Jo 😊

Answer 1

On Mac, Office can become read-only for a few supported reasons. The most likely causes here are reduced functionality mode, activation/sign-in issues, file protection, or storage limits.

Try this in order:

Check whether Office is in reduced functionality mode
- Starting July 13, 2026, Office on older macOS or iOS versions can open and print files but cannot edit, save, or create new files.
- In Word, select Word > About Word.
- If needed, update macOS first, then update Office.
- Minimum supported versions to update successfully are:
  - Mac: macOS 12 (Monterey) or later
  - Office app: version 16.83 or later
If Office 2021 or Microsoft 365 still will not edit after updating
- Quit the app completely with Command + Q.
- Reopen the app.
- Go to the app’s Account settings, sign out, then sign in again with the Microsoft account.
Check whether Office is unlicensed
- If the app shows Unlicensed Product or an activation error, editing can be blocked.
- Open an Office app and confirm it is activated.
Check whether the file itself is marked read-only
- In Finder, right-click the file and select Properties if available in the app workflow, or check the file info window.
- If the Read-only attribute is set, clear it.
- In Excel for Mac specifically, a workbook can be set to File > Always Open Read-Only. Open the workbook in Excel and clear that setting if it is enabled.
Check for Protected View or downloaded-file restrictions
- Files from the internet, email attachments, or other potentially unsafe locations may open in Protected View and be read-only.
Check OneDrive storage if files are stored there
- If OneDrive storage is full, documents stored there cannot be saved until storage is available again.
- Select the OneDrive icon in the notification area and choose Manage storage.
If updates still will not install
- In any Office app, go to Help > Check for Updates.
- Turn on Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date.
- Install all available updates.
If nothing changes
- Restart the Mac.
- Try Office updates again.
- Perform an Online Repair of Office if that option is available in the installed version.
- If one affected document may be permission-damaged, copy its contents into a new blank document and save that new file to the Desktop as a workaround.

A key detail is the macOS version. If the Mac is from 2021 but is still running an older macOS release, Office may stay in read-only mode until macOS is updated first.