which comes first re: upgrading

Kimberlee Herold 0 Reputation points
2026-08-28T21:15:52.8766667+00:00

I want to upgrade from Office for Mac version 16.78.3 on Ventura 13.7.8 to Office 2024 and I want to upgrade from Ventura to Tahoe. I am reading conflicting suggestions. Which comes first? I do not want or need Microsoft 365.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. John Jefferson Doyon 84,555 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-28T21:55:15.8333333+00:00

    Hi, @Kimberlee Herold

    Yes, the recommended order is still:

    1. Upgrade macOS from Ventura to Tahoe first.
    2. Then install or activate Office 2024 for Mac.

    What is the impact to all my current documents and spreadsheets?

    Your existing Word documents and Excel spreadsheets should not be deleted or changed just because you upgrade macOS or Office. Standard .docx and .xlsx files should continue to open in Office 2024. Before upgrading macOS, I recommend making a full backup with Time Machine or another backup method, just in case.

    The main things worth checking are older Office file formats, macros, add-ins, custom fonts, or templates, since those can sometimes behave differently after an upgrade.

    1. Are your documents stored locally on the Mac, in iCloud, or OneDrive?
    2. Also, do any of them use macros or special add-ins?

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Thanks!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Kimberlee Herold 0 Reputation points
    2026-08-28T21:18:02.8266667+00:00

    What is the impact to all my current documents and spreadsheets?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  3. AI answer

    2026-08-28T21:16:07.83+00:00

    Upgrade macOS first, then install or activate Office 2024 for Mac.

    Why this order:

    1. Office updates for Mac require a supported macOS version. As of September 2025, Office updates require macOS Sonoma or later, and Ventura no longer receives Office updates after build 16.101.
    2. New installs of Office 2024 for Mac require macOS Sonoma or later.
    3. If moving to Tahoe, that is a supported macOS version for current Office updates.

    Recommended path:

    1. Upgrade Ventura 13.7.8 to Tahoe.
    2. Then install Office 2024 for Mac.
    3. If an older Office license is still present, remove the existing Office license with the License Removal Tool, then open an Office app, sign in with the account associated with Office 2024, and use Help > Check for Updates.

    Important notes:

    • Office 2024 is a one-time purchase for one Mac and does not require Microsoft 365.
    • Microsoft 365 is not required if the goal is Office 2024.
    • Version numbers on Mac can be confusing because multiple Mac Office releases use the 16.x version line. Office LTSC for Mac 2024 uses version numbers 16.89 or higher.
    • If Office 16.78.3 is currently installed on Ventura, that is below the Office LTSC for Mac 2024 version range.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.