Mac Book Pro version not compatible with Microsoft 365 so I can't install it

Question

My mac pro is version 10.15 or something like that. I can't install office 365 because it says I need version 14 or something like that. Please help

Answer 1

If you have a current Microsoft 365 subscription, if you are unable to upgrade your Mac OS, the last version of Office that will work on MacOS Catalina is 16.66, that is available on the long table on this link to all the downloadable versions of Office for Mac from the Microsoft servers.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac

Answer 2

macOS 10.15 (Catalina) is older than what the current Microsoft 365 installers support, which is why the install page is asking for a newer macOS version (for example, macOS 14 or later).

For older Macs and macOS versions, the supported approach is:

1. Install the most recent Office/Microsoft 365 build that still supports macOS 10.15.
2. Activate it using the existing Microsoft 365 subscription or perpetual Office license.

This is done by using an older Office installer that matches the macOS version instead of the latest one offered by default on the account page. Guidance for this scenario is provided in the “Most Recent Office You Can Run – Best Practices” article referenced in the Q&A answers in the context. That article explains how to:

• Determine the newest Office/Microsoft 365 version that runs on a specific macOS release.
• Download and install that version.
• Activate it with an existing Microsoft 365 subscription.

If upgrading macOS or the Mac hardware is not possible, using that “most recent Office you can run” method is the supported way to keep using Word, Excel, Outlook, etc., on macOS 10.15.

If installation still fails after following that guidance, contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

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References:

• Help! I can't get 365 to work. Can I use it on my MacOS or do I need Office? - Microsoft Q&A
• Cannot install Microsoft 365 because my os is too old - Microsoft Q&A
• How to download Microsoft office (not 365) to MacOS Venture 13.7.8 - Microsoft Q&A
• Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac
• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac