unable to create or edit on word/excel with my paid subscription

Question

I have a paid subscription to Microsoft 365, but recently have not been able to create or edit using word/excel

Answer 1

You didn’t specify what OS you are using it on. Any chance you are using macOS? if so, What is your macOS version? Is your office product purchased from Microsoft or from Apple?

Answer 2

If Microsoft 365 is paid but Word or Excel no longer allows creating or editing, the most common causes are that the app is signed in with the wrong account, the subscription is not showing as active on the account being used, or there is a payment issue that caused the subscription to become suspended.

Try this in order:

1. Confirm the subscription is active
   • Go to your Services & subscriptions page.
   • Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the Microsoft 365 subscription.
   • Under Microsoft 365, verify that the subscription is active.
   • If it has expired, renew it and then restart Word or Excel.
2. Check payment status
   • Go to your Payment options page.
   • Sign in with the same Microsoft account tied to the subscription.
   • If the payment method shows an error, update it.
   • Restart Word or Excel after updating payment details.
3. Make sure Word and Excel are using the correct account
   • Sign out of the Office apps.
   • Sign back in with the same Microsoft account that appears on the subscription.
   • This is especially important if multiple Microsoft, work, or school accounts have been used on the device.
4. If the apps still open in read-only or reduced functionality mode
   • Office can enter reduced functionality mode when there is a subscription or activation problem.
   • In that state, documents can still be opened and printed, but not edited or newly created.
5. If the problem started after renewal and still does not clear
   • Reinstall Office from the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page so the installed apps are linked to the correct subscription.

If this is happening on a mobile device, also verify the app is signed in with the correct Microsoft account. On iPad, if the app shows No subscription found or This Apple ID doesn't have a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, reset the app in Settings for the Office app and enable Delete Login Credentials, then reopen the app and sign in again.

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