To get Microsoft Word on a Mac, sign in to the Microsoft account that owns your Microsoft 365 subscription or Office license, download the Mac installer from Microsoft, install it, then open Word and sign in to activate. If you use a one-time Office license, download Word from Microsoft—not the Mac App Store, whose Word app requires Microsoft 365 for creating and editing documents.
Choose the right way to get Word
The download route needs to match your license. Microsoft offers subscription access through Microsoft 365 and one-time Office purchases; it also distributes Word through the Mac App Store, which has a different licensing requirement.
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| Option | License and included apps | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | A subscription that provides the latest Office desktop apps and Microsoft 365 services. Microsoft says subscribers can install across devices and be signed in on up to five at a time. | Choose this if you want subscription services, ongoing app feature updates, or to use the apps across devices. Microsoft’s installation guidance explains the download process. |
| Office Home 2024 for Mac | A one-time purchase for one Mac that includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It does not include some cloud-backed features and Microsoft 365 services, such as OneDrive and SharePoint Online. | Choose this if you want a one-time Office purchase for a single Mac rather than a subscription. See Microsoft’s Office suites for individuals and families information. |
| Word from the Mac App Store | Microsoft says a Microsoft 365 subscription is required to create and edit documents in the App Store version. One-time Office licenses are not compatible with the App Store apps. | Use this route only if its Microsoft 365 requirement matches your license. For a one-time Office license, install the apps directly from Microsoft instead. Microsoft explains the App Store activation distinction. |
Check your Mac before downloading
For Office 2024 for Mac, Microsoft lists Intel or Apple silicon, at least 4 GB of RAM, and 10 GB of available disk space. Office for Mac supports the three most recent major macOS versions, but Microsoft’s update guidance adds an important detail: new Office 2024 for Mac installations require macOS Sonoma or later. Sonoma or later is also required to receive updates beginning with the September 2025 update; older supported installations may continue to work without further updates.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Because macOS support changes over time, check Microsoft’s macOS update guidance and Office suite requirements for the current requirements before installing.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic Office Apps | Includes classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease.
- Install on a Single Device | Install classic desktop Office Apps for use on a single Windows laptop, Windows desktop, MacBook, or iMac.
- Ideal for One Person | With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- Consider Upgrading to Microsoft 365 | Get premium benefits with a Microsoft 365 subscription, including ongoing updates, advanced security, and access to premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, plus 1TB cloud storage per person and multi-device support for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Download and install Word from Microsoft
- Open Microsoft’s download, install, or reinstall page and sign in with the Microsoft account or work or school account associated with your license.
- Select Install apps and start the download. If you have a product key, redeem it through Office setup first so the license is associated with a Microsoft account; then use that account to download and activate.
- In Finder, open Downloads and double-click the downloaded Microsoft Office installer package. Its exact filename may vary. Follow the on-screen steps, accept the license terms, choose installation options, and enter your Mac login password if prompted. The installer can be customized to omit apps you do not want.
- When installation finishes, open Word from Launchpad or Finder’s Applications folder. Select Get Started in the welcome or activation window and sign in with the account associated with the license.
- Wait for Word to check and activate the license. Use Microsoft’s installation or activation troubleshooting guidance if the process fails rather than trying a different account or an unrelated product key.
Use the account that owns the license
Word checks the license attached to the Microsoft account—or the assigned work or school account—you use to sign in. If you downloaded the apps with one account but your license belongs to another, sign out and use the licensed account. For a product key, redeem it through Office setup before installing; the key is then associated with the Microsoft account used for activation. See Microsoft’s Office for Mac activation instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 12-month subscription for one person – available for organizations with up to 300 people with additional paid licenses.
- 1 TB OneDrive for Business cloud storage with ransomware detection and file recovery.
- One license covers fully-installed Office apps on 5 phones, 5 tablets, and 5 PCs or Macs per user (including Windows, iOS, and Android).
- Premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (features vary), Outlook, Access, Publisher, (Publisher and Access are for PC only).
- Business apps: Bookings
Rank #4
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- Up to 2 TB Shared Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Share Your Family Subscription | You can share all of your subscription benefits with up to 6 people for use across all their devices.
Rank #3
![Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 | Classic Desktop Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote | One-Time Purchase for 1 PC/MAC | Instant Download [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41H8B5iqO4L._SL160_.jpg)
- [Ideal for One Person] — With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- [Classic Office Apps] — Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
- [Desktop Only & Customer Support] — To install and use on one PC or Mac, on desktop only. Microsoft 365 has your back with readily available technical support through chat or phone.
Rank #2
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- 1 TB Secure Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Easy Digital Download with Microsoft Account | Product delivered electronically for quick setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account, redeem your code, and download your apps instantly to your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
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