Just installed Microsoft 365, now I cannot open any of my previous created documents and it says error.

Question

I already had Microsoft 365 on my computer and needed to renew. So I did. Now, I cannot open any old documents nor create any new documents.

Answer 1

If you are unable to open your previously created documents after renewing your Microsoft 365 subscription, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check for Activation Issues: Ensure that your Microsoft 365 is properly activated. Sometimes, issues with activation can prevent documents from opening.
2. Repair Office: You can try repairing your Office installation. Go to "Apps & Features" in your settings, select Microsoft 365, and choose the repair option.
3. File Format Compatibility: Make sure that the documents you are trying to open are in a compatible format. If they were created in an older version of Office, try saving them in a newer format or using the "Open and Repair" feature.
4. Clear Disk Space: Ensure that you have enough disk space available on your device, as insufficient space can cause issues with opening documents.
5. Reinstall Office: If the above steps do not work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft 365 to resolve any underlying issues.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to check the Microsoft support community for more specific guidance related to your situation.

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References:

• Microsoft 365 Apps activation error: "We've run into a problem with your Office 365 subscription"
• You receive an error message when you try to open an Office document

Answer 2

Hi Jeanne,

What is the activation status in the Office App?

Please try this:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-to-remove-office-license-files-on-a-mac-b032c0f6-a431-4dad-83a9-6b727c03b193

1. Download the license removal tool.
2. Open the .pkg file from your Mac's Downloads folder.

Note: If you get an "unidentified developer" error, try opening the file by holding Control + clicking the file > Open.

3. Select Continue and follow the prompts in the setup wizard.

Caution: We recommend you double-check that you have the correct account info ready by logging into Office.com/signin and checking for the license you want to activate with.

4. When you're ready to complete the license removal, select Install. You may need to enter your Mac's local admin account password.

After the tool successfully removes licenses, select Close.

5. Now open any Office app and sign in to activate with the email account associated with your Microsoft 365 for Mac license. If you're troubleshooting an issue, you may need to reinstall Office before signing in.

After you've successfully activated, restart your computer and then you're good to go!

Note: If your account has both a Microsoft 365 for Mac license and a one-time purchase associated with it, you'll be prompted to choose which license you want to activate with. We recommend always choosing Microsoft 365 for Mac if available.

6. Uninstall the License Removal Tool by dragging the Microsoft_Office_License_Removal file from Finder > Downloads to Trash.

Sign in again and let me know.

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.