Hi Russ, I completely understand how frustrating it must be to go through the process of resetting your Mac from scratch only to run into roadblocks when trying to reinstall Microsoft Office.
Microsoft now requires macOS 14 or newer for new installations of Microsoft 365 and Office apps. Since you are currently using macOS Ventura version 13.7.8 the installer is blocking the process even though Ventura is still technically compatible with older Office builds. To move forward you have two main options. First you can install the last supported version for Ventura which is Office version 16.101. To do this go to the Office website sign in with your Microsoft account and click Install Office. If the installer still blocks you. you will need to manually download the Office 16.101 installer from a trusted source such as Microsoft’s update archive or a verified download page. Second if you are not using a subscription you can purchase Office 2024 as a one time license. which also works on Ventura and does not require macOS 14. In additional to avoid upgrading macOS unofficially on unsupported Macs as this can lead to instability and security risks. If you plan to continue using Ventura long term it is recommended to disable automatic Office updates after installation to prevent compatibility issues. You can also consider using Office Web Apps such as Word and Excel through the Office website as a temporary workaround since they do not require installation and work well in a browser.
Can you tell me exactly what happens when you try to install Microsoft Office do you see an error message or does the installation simply not start?
Best regards
Lucky Charm