Microsoft 365

Question

I cant log into word or excel. its view only. I cant see my credentials. I have purchased two accounts

Answer 1

Hi,

This usually happens when Microsoft 365 is not properly activated on the device, or when a different Microsoft account is signed in inside Word or Excel.

Since you mentioned you purchased two accounts, the issue is often caused by signing in with the wrong Microsoft account that does not have the active Microsoft 365 license.

To better help you and guide you to the right solution, could you please check and confirm the following details?

Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services then sign in to your account. Do you see Microsoft 365 subscription active there?

From Word or Excel, please go to File > Account, then check and share the exact full product name shown there.

Are you using a Windows or Mac device for the subscription?

Answer 2

Word and Excel are in view-only mode because they are not activated with an account that has an active Microsoft 365/Office license. The apps are likely still tied to the wrong account or cannot see a valid subscription, even though two accounts were purchased.

Follow these steps on the device where Word/Excel are view-only:

1. Confirm which account has an active subscription
   1. In a browser, go to the Subscriptions page at account.microsoft.com/services.
   2. Sign in with each of the two accounts that were purchased, one at a time.
   3. For each account, check that a Microsoft 365 or Office product is listed and active. Only accounts that show an active product can activate Word/Excel.
2. Sign in to Office with the correct account
   1. Open Word or Excel.
   2. Go to File → Account.
   3. Under Product Information, check which account is shown. If it is not the account that has the active subscription, choose Sign out.
   4. Select Sign in and enter the email and password for the account that shows the active Microsoft 365/Office subscription from step 1.
3. If still unlicensed, check for multiple copies and activation issues
   1. On Windows, open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and verify there is only one Microsoft 365/Office installation. If there are multiple, uninstall all copies, then reinstall using the account that has the active subscription (from www.microsoft365.com → Sign in → Install apps).
   2. After reinstalling, open Word/Excel and sign in with the same account that owns the subscription.
4. If the apps still show “Unlicensed Product” or remain view-only
   1. Re-check that the subscription is not expired. If it is expired, renew it to regain full editing.
   2. If the subscription is active and sign-in is correct but activation still fails, follow the activation troubleshooting steps for the installed Office version (Microsoft 365, Office 2021/2019/2016) from the activation help article in the references.

If the wrong (old work/school) account is cached on the device, it may need to be removed from Windows accounts and Credential Manager, and Office reinstalled, as shown in the referenced Q&A solutions.

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References:

• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• About accounts in Office
• Sign in to Microsoft 365
• I forgot the account I use with Microsoft 365
• Can't type in Word documents - Microsoft Q&A
• Can't sign in to microsoft 365 desktop apps - Microsoft Q&A