Is there a BUG? I cannot save my files on Office 2021 from yesterday

AI bot replied:

Update Office from 16.114.1 to 16.114.2 first, because Microsoft lists 16.114.2 as the current Office for Mac release and documents inability to edit or save as “reduced functionality mode.” Update Office Open Word or Excel. Select Help > Check for Updates. In Microsoft AutoUpdate, select Update All. Confirm that the installed version is 16.114.2 (26102345) under Word > About Word or the equivalent menu in Excel. Quit every Office application completely with Command+Q, then reopen one and test saving a new local document. Version 16.114.2 was released on October 26, 2026, after your 16.114.1 (26102031) build from October 22. Microsoft’s update history says only the most recently released version is supported. 1 Your macOS 15.7.2 already exceeds the documented minimum of macOS 12 for this remediation. Microsoft identifies the open/print-but-cannot-edit-or-save state as reduced functionality mode and directs Office 2021 users to update macOS first and Office second. If updating does not restore saving Refresh activation rather than purchasing Microsoft 365: Quit the affected app with Command+Q. Reopen it and go to its Account settings. Sign out. Sign back in with the Microsoft account associated with the Office 2021 purchase. If available, also select Excel/Word > About > More Info > Refresh License. Restart the Mac and test saving again. Microsoft specifically recommends signing out and back in when Office 2021 remains unable to edit or save after updating. If the application shows Unlicensed, Not Active, or continues in reduced-functionality mode, use Microsoft’s license-removal tool only after verifying that the Office 2021 purchase appears under the correct Microsoft account. This removes all Office licenses from the Mac, so have the purchase account and password ready before proceeding. Quit all Office applications. Download and run the Office license removal tool from Microsoft’s instructions. [---]

IT is still not working after installing the update. IT still cannot save my files. Regarding your option2, it does not work because Im on a perpetual license with a product key that I cannot use to activate the account.

Please help.

I have the same issue on my Macbook Pro as of today. It wants me to activate 365 and I have a Home & Student 2021 Product Key. It will not let me reinstall it. I do not want a 365 subscription. I want to continue using the 2021 version.

hey MS, any updates? this is getting frustrating.

I have the same issue, and every time I try to activate it or fix it, I am only led to an option to buy 365. I am a little worried this is not a bug but the intended performance for non-subscription Microsoft customers.