Excel has just stopped allowing me to edit on a mac, has my subscription ended?

Richard Mathias 0 Reputation points
2026-09-23T09:39:30.03+00:00

Excel has just stopped allowing me to edit on a mac, has my subscription ended? I can see my account, but it just says that the licence doesn't allow editing on a mac.I have been a mac user for 20 years, and the subscription has always been fine on this computer, unsure what has changed?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | Other | MacOS
0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Pham Tien 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-29T01:42:53.7333333+00:00

    The same thing happened to me. I uninstalled the app, downloaded it back and signed in again and now it worked.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. DaveM121 937.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-23T10:14:54.7133333+00:00

    There are some on-going problems with the Office apps on an Apple Mac device at the moment.

    1

    Log into your Microsoft account on this link, what Office licence is listed there, and if that is a subscription to Microsoft 365, check the expiry date on the subscription to see if that is indicated correctly.

    https://account.microsoft.com/services/

    2

    At the top left of your Mac desktop, click the Apple icon and select 'About this Mac', what version of MacOS is installed on your computer?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  3. AI answer

    2026-09-23T09:39:49.1066667+00:00

    This does not necessarily mean the subscription ended. On Mac, Office apps can go into reduced functionality mode, where files can open and print but cannot be edited or saved.

    Common causes supported here are:

    1. The app is signed in with the wrong Microsoft account
      • Sign out of Excel, then sign in again with the account that has the Microsoft 365 subscription.
      • If needed, choose Sign in with another account.
      • To verify the licensed account, check the subscription listed at https://account.microsoft.com/services.
    2. The Mac App Store version is installed
      • Office apps downloaded from the Mac App Store require a Microsoft 365 subscription to create and edit documents.
      • One-time Office licenses are not compatible with Mac App Store Office apps and will show reduced functionality.
    3. The Mac or Office version is now below the supported minimum
      • Starting July 13, 2026, some users on older macOS or Office versions may only be able to open and print files, but not edit or save.
      • Minimum versions listed are:
        • macOS 12 (Monterey) or later
        • Office app version 16.83 or later
      • Fix: update macOS first, then update Office.
    4. The app needs a sign-out/sign-in refresh after updating
      • If Office is updated but still will not edit or save:
        1. Quit Excel completely with Command + Q.
        2. Reopen Excel.
        3. Go to the app’s Account settings.
        4. Sign out.
        5. Sign in again with the Microsoft account.

    If this started suddenly on a Mac that worked before, the most direct checks are:

    1. Open Word > About Word or Excel > About Excel and confirm whether it shows Microsoft 365 or a one-time license such as Office 2021 or Office 2019.
    2. Check whether the account signed in is the same one that owns the subscription.
    3. Check whether Office came from the Mac App Store or directly from Microsoft.
    4. Check macOS version and Office app version, then update if below the supported minimum.

    If the subscription is active and the account is correct, signing out and back in is the next supported step.

    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.