Office for Mac: which version works on your macOS

Office licences for Windows do not work on macOS — this is the most common mistake when ordering. Separate editions are available for Mac: Office Home and Business. Before you order, make two checks.

1. Which version of macOS you have

Apple menu (top left) → About This Mac. It shows the name and the version number — for example Sequoia 15, Sonoma 14, Ventura 13, Monterey 12.

2. Intel or Apple Silicon

In the same window, the Chip line shows Apple M1/M2/M3/M4, while older machines show Processor with Intel. All current versions of Office for Mac run on both, but on Apple Silicon Office 2021 runs best, because it is compiled natively.

Which version to choose

• Office 2021 Home and Business — for new machines with Apple Silicon and an up-to-date macOS. The newest features in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Office 2019 Home and Business — a balanced choice for machines that are a few years old.
• Office 2016 Home and Business — also runs on older macOS (Catalina, for example), when the newer versions are no longer supported.

All three include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The files are fully compatible with the Windows versions, so you can work in a mixed team without any trouble.

How Office is activated on a Mac

Unlike Windows, on a Mac the licence is saved to your Microsoft account rather than being entered into the application itself each time. The steps are:

1. You sign in to your Microsoft account (or create a new one, free of charge).
2. You enter the key you received on the Microsoft redemption page.
3. The licence is attached to the account.
4. You download the installer and sign in with the same account — Office activates itself.

Important: we recommend saving the key to the account within 5 days of purchase. Once it is saved, you can install Office at any time, including after reinstalling macOS.

Frequently asked questions

Can I install it on two Macs?

No. One licence is valid for one device. A second computer needs a separate key.

What if I change my Mac?

Since the licence is in your Microsoft account, you install Office on the new machine with the same account. Uninstall it from the old one.

Are there Publisher and Access for Mac?

No. Microsoft does not release Publisher and Access for macOS — they exist only in the Windows versions.

Will I receive updates?

Yes, security patches come directly from Microsoft through Microsoft AutoUpdate.

Take a look at the Office for Mac licences. If you are unsure which version suits your macOS, write to us with the version from About This Mac and we will tell you exactly.