my excel version says its the free version

Question

I bought Microsoft Office 2024, and now Excel says it is the free version and not the paid version. How can I fix this? Thanks for any help and advice offered

Answer 1

Excel is running in free/unlicensed mode because it is not properly activated with the Office 2024 license that was purchased. To fix this, ensure that the correct one‑time‑purchase license is installed and activated, and that no conflicting Microsoft 365/free license is being used.

Follow these steps:

1. Confirm the purchase type
   Office 2024 is a one‑time purchase tied to a single Microsoft account and device. It is not a Microsoft 365 subscription and does not require ongoing payments.
2. Check for the correct license/account
   Excel and the other Office apps must be signed in with the same Microsoft account that was used to redeem or buy Office 2024. If the wrong account is used, the apps may show as free/unlicensed.
   • Close all Office apps.
   • Go to the Subscriptions / Services & subscriptions page for the Microsoft account and verify that Office 2024 (for example, Office Home 2024) is listed there.
   • If Office 2024 is not listed, sign out and try any other Microsoft accounts that might have been used when the product key was redeemed.
3. Fix unlicensed state in Excel/Office
   If Excel shows messages like Unlicensed Product or behaves like a free version (limited editing), follow the activation troubleshooting steps:
   • Make sure the Microsoft 365 subscription (if any) is active if using Microsoft 365; otherwise, skip to activation troubleshooting for perpetual Office.
   • Use the guidance in Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office to sign in with the correct account and complete activation.
   • If needed, run the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter on Windows 10 or later to detect and fix activation issues.
4. Reinstall Office 2024 if necessary
   If Excel still behaves like a free version after signing in with the correct account and confirming the Office 2024 license:
   • Uninstall any Microsoft 365 trial or other Office versions that might conflict (for example, older Office 2021/2019 installations).
   • From the Services & subscriptions page for the correct Microsoft account, select the Office 2024 product and choose Install to download the correct installer.
   • Install Office 2024, then open Excel and sign in with the same Microsoft account to activate.
   • In Excel, go to File > Account and confirm that the product name shows Office 2024 and that it is activated.
5. If Excel still shows as free
   If the correct Office 2024 license is confirmed and activation steps do not resolve the issue, use the Office activation troubleshooting article to continue with the detailed steps, or contact Microsoft support from that page for further assistance.

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References:

• What's the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2024?
• What's the difference between a paid Microsoft 365 subscription and the free web apps?
• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• Fixes or workarounds for recent Office installation or activation issues
• How can I install Home Office 2024 with my Microsoft Account with your directions. - Microsoft Q&A