Subscription

Question

I only need Word and Excel, how do I change my subscription?

Answer 1

If you have a subscription to Microsoft 365, that includes all the Office apps, there is no subscription available that just provides Word and Excel.

The only other option if you only need those two apps would be to purchase a one-time payment licence to Office 2024, that only contains Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/p/office-home-2024/cfq7ttc0pqvj

Answer 2

To use only Word and Excel, choose the subscription type that matches how those apps are needed, then switch plans in the Microsoft account.

There are three main options in the context:

1. Keep a Microsoft 365 subscription with desktop apps
   If full desktop versions of Word and Excel are needed:
   • Use Microsoft 365 Personal (for one person) or Microsoft 365 Family (for multiple people). Both include the full desktop apps.
   • To switch between Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Basic, or Premium:
     1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in with the Microsoft account used for the current subscription.
     2. Under Subscriptions, select the current Microsoft 365 subscription and choose Manage.
     3. Follow the steps under Switch between Microsoft 365 subscriptions to move to the plan that fits best (for example, from Family to Personal, or from Basic to Personal/Family if desktop apps are needed).
   Note: Microsoft 365 Basic does not include desktop apps like Word or Excel; it only provides web/mobile apps and storage. If the subscription was changed to Basic, desktop Word and Excel will stop working once the old plan ends.
2. Switch to a non‑subscription (one‑time purchase) Office
   If a one‑time purchase is preferred instead of a subscription:
   1. Go to Subscriptions at https://account.microsoft.com/services and select Turn off recurring billing for the current Microsoft 365 subscription.
   2. When the subscription expires, buy a one‑time purchase of Office (for example, Office 2024, which includes Word and Excel).
   3. After purchase, open Word or Excel and follow the steps to switch the license to the new one‑time purchase so the apps run under that license.
3. If Copilot/AI features are not wanted
   If the goal is to keep Word and Excel but remove Copilot/AI features (Classic plan):
   1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services and sign in.
   2. Select the current Microsoft 365 subscription and choose Manage subscription.
   3. Choose Cancel subscription; an option should appear to switch back to the Classic plan, which keeps the standard Office apps (including Word and Excel) at the same cost previously paid.

If desktop Word and Excel are required, avoid staying on or moving to Microsoft 365 Basic, because it does not include the desktop apps.

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References:

• How do I upgrade Office?
• Switch between Microsoft 365 subscriptions
• I am unable to open and create documents - Microsoft Q&A
• Word program without annual subscription - Microsoft Q&A
• How do I change to classic subscription (without Copilot)? - Microsoft Q&A