Problems with Office apps

Update macOS first and then update every Office app on the affected Mac, because Office installations that missed the required July 2026 update can open and print documents but cannot edit, save, or create them.

1. Update the affected Mac and Office

Microsoft identifies this exact behavior as reduced functionality mode. It can affect Microsoft 365 and non-subscription Office 2021/2019 installations on macOS; updating the operating system and Office normally restores editing and saving.^1^

1. Choose Apple menu → System Settings → General → Software Update and install the macOS updates offered for that Mac.
2. Restart the Mac.
3. If Office came from Microsoft:
   • Open Word.
   • Select Help → Check for Updates.
   • Enable Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date.
   • Select Update All.
4. If Office came from the Mac App Store:
   • Open App Store → Updates.
   • Select Update All.
5. Restart Word and test both a new blank document and an existing document.

The documented requirement is to move to supported OS and Office versions, but the supplied Microsoft page does not list one universal version number; the required version varies by the Mac/device and Office edition. Use the newest versions offered through Software Update and Microsoft AutoUpdate or the App Store.^2^

2. If Office is current, refresh its activation

Because the problem affects your installation but not your wife’s, compare the license status, not only the visible Office version:

1. Open Word and select Word → About Microsoft Word.
2. Check whether it shows the expected Microsoft 365 or perpetual Office license.
3. Confirm Word is signed in with the Microsoft account that owns or shares that license.
4. Select More Info → Refresh License, if that option appears.
5. Quit all Office applications completely, reopen Word, and test editing.

A mismatched or damaged local license can leave Office able to display files while editing and saving remain unavailable.^3^

3. If activation still does not recover

Use Microsoft’s Office license-removal tool, but first ensure that the account name and password associated with the Office purchase are available. The tool removes all Office licenses stored on that Mac, after which Office must be activated again.

1. Quit all Office applications.
2. Download and run Microsoft’s license-removal tool using the instructions on the support page.
3. Follow the installer and provide the Mac administrator password when requested.
4. Open Word and sign in using the account associated with the Microsoft 365 or Office license.
5. If offered multiple licenses, select Microsoft 365 for Mac.
6. Restart the Mac and test again.^4^

If only particular documents are affected

If a new blank document can be edited and saved, Office itself is working. Check the affected document for a message bar showing restricted permissions and select View Permissions. A rights-managed file may grant only Read access; editing and saving require Change or Full Control permission.^5^

Was the Mac hacked?

The inability to edit or save is not, by itself, evidence of compromise. The documented July 2026 Office issue is explicitly an update/licensing problem rather than a security issue.^6^

If there are separate warning signs—an unfamiliar sign-in notification, changed password, or unknown account activity—review the Microsoft account’s Recent activity, which covers the previous 30 days. If an entry is unauthorized, mark it accordingly, change the password, update security settings, and remove unrecognized trusted devices.^7^

References

1. Update Microsoft 365 or Office on your macOS or iOS device | Microsoft Support
2. Update Office for Mac automatically | Microsoft Support
3. Word, Excell won't save documents - Microsoft Q&A
4. How to remove Office license files on a Mac
5. [Mac](https://support.microsoft.com/office/security-privacy/open-a-file-that-has-restricted-permissions)
6. Update Microsoft 365 on your work or school macOS or iOS device | Microsoft Support
7. Check the recent sign-in activity for your Microsoft account