MS Ofice download 16.88 not working

Question

Hello, I downloaded it but it didn't prevent the activation request from showing on top of every

document and I don't know why or what to do next? Was hoping to get a live chat or something so

I can resolve this today since I have already spent a couple days when able to to fix this. Kindly tell me where I can reach a live person to assist me with this further because I have done everything.

Answer 1

Hi,

The License Removal Tool will only remove previously installed Office licenses on your Mac, not on your account.

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"I had office 365" - may I please know if it is Monthly or Yearly Subscription?

Office 365 is a subscription-based license that must be renewed either monthly or yearly. If you have paid recently, it’s possible that the license is tied to a different Microsoft account.

You no longer see your Office 365 Subscription under your Microsoft account?

https://account.microsoft.com/services

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Answer 2

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription or a perpetual Office license, you can verify it at https://account.microsoft.com/services. If you are still being asked to activate Office in your apps, it is recommended that you run the Office License Removal Tool to remove all traces of previous Office licenses and then reinstall Office.

*You can use the link below to download the Office License Removal Tool for your Mac.

Office License Removal Tool

Run the License removal tool and follow the prompts to complete the license removal.
Once completed, open Office apps and sign in with your Microsoft account to activate Office.

If you are still having issues, let me know.

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Answer 3

To remove the activation banner on Office for Mac and then get help from a live person, follow these steps:

1. Close all Office apps
   • In each app (Word, Excel, etc.), go to the menu bar and select App name (e.g., Word) > Quit.
2. Clear the existing license on the Mac
   • Open Spotlight (magnifying glass in the top-right of the screen).
   • Search for and open Keychain.
   • In Keychain, search for Office.
   • Delete the data license file entries related to Office.
   • Then run the license removal tool to fully remove old license files.
3. Re‑open an Office app and sign in
   • Open Word or another Office app.
   • When prompted, sign in with the Microsoft account or Microsoft 365 subscription that has a valid license.
   • This should remove the “Activate Office to Create and Edit” banner.
4. If activation still fails or the wrong license is used
   • Use the same license removal tool above to ensure all old/incorrect licenses are removed, then reactivate with the correct Microsoft 365 subscription account.
5. Contact a live Microsoft support agent
   • Go to Contact – Microsoft Support via the support site.
   • In the search box, type Get Help or Contact and open the Get Help experience.
   • Choose Microsoft 365 & Office as the product.
   • Select the category related to Install, redeem, activate or Manage my subscription.
   • Confirm, then choose Chat with a support agent or the Call me back option and provide contact details so a support agent can call.

If the online path is not working, use the general “Contact Microsoft Support” entry point from the support site and follow the prompts to reach Microsoft 365/Office support, then select chat or phone.

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References:

• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac
• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• How do I get a live person at Microsoft.? - Microsoft Q&A
• SPEAK TO LIVE AGENT - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to talk to someone!! - Microsoft Q&A
• Can I speak to someone? -- Billing issues - Microsoft Q&A
• Office running on OS 12.7.6 - Microsoft Q&A