Microsoft Office and the Mac App Store

This article covers frequently asked questions about the availability of Office from the Mac App Store, and the differences between downloading Office apps directly from Microsoft.

Starting in January 2019, the following Office applications are available for download from the Mac App Store: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote*, and OneDrive*.

* These apps were also available from the Mac App Store in previous years.

1. What version of Office is available from the Mac App Store?

   The Office apps available from the Mac App Store provide the very latest version of Office on the Mac. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook require a Microsoft 365 subscription to activate. OneNote and OneDrive do not require a Microsoft 365 subscription, but some premium features may require a Microsoft 365 subscription.

2. Is this the same as Office 2019?

   No. Office 2019 is the one-time purchase, non-subscription product (also known as perpetual). A Microsoft 365 subscription provides always up-to-date versions of Office apps and access to additional premium features and services. The apps available in the Mac App Store are not compatible with Office 2019 licenses.

3. I currently own Office 2016 for Mac and want to upgrade my version of Office. Should I download Office from the Mac App Store?

   If you own the older perpetual release of Office, you can download the new version of the apps from the Mac App Store, and purchase a new Microsoft 365 subscription using the in-app purchase option. In-app purchase offers include Microsoft 365 Family, and Microsoft 365 Personal.  Your license from the perpetual release of Office will not work with the app versions from the App Store. Click here to learn about Microsoft 365 subscriptions and pricing.

4. I already have a Microsoft 365 subscription, and the Office apps are already installed on my Mac. Do I need to do anything?

   No. It's likely that you installed Office directly from Microsoft. The Microsoft AutoUpdate app will keep your existing apps up-to-date. The apps in the Mac App Store do not provide functionality beyond what you have today.

5. If I download Office from the Mac App Store, do I still use Microsoft AutoUpdate to get updates?

   Microsoft AutoUpdate is only used to get updates for apps that you download directly from Microsoft. If you download Office from the Mac App Store, then the App Store will provide you with future updates of Office. You may have other Microsoft apps installed on your Mac, and AutoUpdate will continue providing updates just for those apps.

6. Can I have multiple versions and builds of Office installed on my Mac?

   No. Microsoft 365, Office 2019, and Office 2016 use the same application and file names. To see which version of Office you have installed on your Mac, open one of the apps, and look at the License text in the About dialog.

7. Can I get Office Insider builds from the Mac App Store?

   No. The Office apps in the Mac App Store are production releases. Insider builds must be downloaded directly from Microsoft.

8.  How do I cancel my Microsoft 365 free trial that I purchased through the Mac App Store? 

   To cancel your Microsoft 365 free trial that you purchased through the Mac or iOS App Store, follow the instructions on this page: View, change, or cancel your subscriptions. 

   This link redirects to the App Store, so please open this link on a Mac, iPad or iPhone.