Office for Mac 2019

Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support on October 10, 2023, and starting July 13, 2026 it can enter reduced functionality mode. In that state, Office apps can open and print files, but cannot edit, save, or create new files.

For Office 2019 for Mac, this is not fixed by reinstalling or updating Office 2019. Microsoft states that Office 2019 for Mac cannot be updated to the required version.

What can be done:

1. Check whether this is Office 2019:
   • Open Word.
   • Select Word > About Word.
   • If it shows Office 2019, this behavior matches the current support status.
2. Use the available options for Office 2019 for Mac:
   • Use Microsoft 365 on the web to open and work on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in a browser.
   • Move to a supported version such as Microsoft 365 or a newer supported Office release.
3. If the files are important, note that the files themselves are still safe:
   • This issue does not affect the security of the files or device.
   • Office 2019 files are not deleted or damaged by this reduced functionality mode.

If the installed product is not Office 2019, or if it is Office 2021 and still cannot edit or save after updating, the documented step is to quit the app completely and sign out and back in from the app’s Account settings.

References:

• Update Microsoft 365 or Office on your macOS or iOS device
• Office 2019 for macOS lost activation for no apparent reason and now will not reactivate ... HELP! - Microsoft Q&A