How to install Microsoft Office for Mac 2016

Question

Hi, I recently found out that my MacBook Air Version 11.7.10 will no longer handle Microsoft Office Excel, Word or PowerPoint. So I bought online a the 2016 version of Office. Word installed fine, but Excel won't install. All I can do is read old Excel files. I can't save them or make changes.

How do I get around this issue? I don't want to use the online version of Excel. I want my files on my computer desktop.

Help.

Answer 1

Hello Terry Van Nortwick,

I understand that you recently purchased Office 2016 for your MacBook Air running macOS 11.7.10. Although Word installed successfully, Excel will not install, and you can only view existing workbooks without editing or saving them.

I’m afraid Office 2016 for Mac is no longer supported. Editing and saving now require macOS 12 or later and Office version 16.83 or later, so Office 2016 on macOS 11.7.10 cannot meet these requirements.

See more: Update Microsoft 365 or Office on your macOS or iOS device

First, select Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update and check whether your Mac can upgrade to macOS 12 or later. If it can, update macOS and then install a supported desktop version of Office, such as Microsoft 365 or Office 2024. Your files can still remain stored locally on the Desktop; OneDrive or Excel for the web is not required.

If the Mac cannot upgrade beyond macOS 11, unfortunately there is no supported Microsoft Office desktop version that will restore reliable editing and saving on that computer. You would need to use Office on a newer supported Mac or PC. If you purchased Office 2016 for Mac online recently, consider contacting the seller to request a refund.

I know this may not be the answer you were hoping for, but I hope it clarifies the situation and sets clear expectations. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best regards.

Answer 2

Office 2016 for Mac is out of support and no longer receives security updates or bug fixes. A supported path is to reinstall the Office 2016 for Mac apps directly, then activate them with the license tied to that purchase.

Try this on the Mac:

1. Close all Office apps.
2. Open Finder > Applications.
3. Find Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, then control-click each app and choose Move to Trash.
4. Download the full Office 2016 for Mac installer: Office 2016 for Mac Installer
5. Open the downloaded package and complete the installation.
6. Open an Office app and sign in with the account associated with the Office license.

If the installer downloads but Excel still does not launch or install:

1. Check Downloads for the installer package.
2. If the package will not open, move the .pkg file from Downloads to the Desktop and double-click it again.
3. If it still fails, delete the installer package, empty Trash, and download it again using Safari.
4. If macOS shows an unidentified developer warning, select OK, wait 10 seconds, move the file to the desktop, then Control-click the file and select Open.

If Office was previously installed from the Mac App Store, removing the existing apps and reinstalling from the direct Microsoft installer can resolve activation and app mismatch issues.

If Office 2016 is already installed but the old license is blocking activation, remove the existing Office 2016 for Mac license with the License Removal Tool, then open any Office app, sign in with the account for the new Office purchase, and run Help > Check for Updates.

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• End of support for Office 2016 for Mac
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