Microsoft 365 Apps activation error: “Your account doesn’t allow editing on a Mac”

• Applies to:

  Microsoft 365

When you try to activate Microsoft 365 apps, you encounter the error message:

Your account doesn’t allow editing on a Mac.

Try the following troubleshooting methods to solve the problem.

Note Some of these troubleshooting methods can only be performed by a Microsoft 365 admin. If you aren’t an admin, see How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin?

Make sure user licenses are assigned

1. In the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, go to the Users > Active users page.
2. Select the row of the user that you want to assign a license to.
3. In the right pane, select Licenses and Apps.
4. Expand the Licenses section, select the boxes for the licenses that you want to assign, then select Save changes.
5. If the license is already assigned, uncheck it, select Save changes, then check it again and select Save changes again.
   
   

Sign out of Office and sign back in

1. Open an Office app, such as Word.
2. Select your name and profile picture or icon at the top.
3. Select Sign out.
4. Select Sign in.
5. Make sure you are signed in with your Work or School account, not your personal Microsoft account.
6. Try activating Microsoft 365 again.
   
   

Use the Mac License removal tool

See How to remove Office license files on a Mac.

Uninstall and Reinstall Office for Mac

For instructions, see the following articles:

• Uninstall Office for Mac

• Download and install or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a PC or Mac
  
  

References

• Activate Office for Mac

• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac

• Outlook 2016 for Mac repeatedly prompts for authentication