I cover how to get microsoft word for free 2021 and how to get microsoft word for free on mac 2020 but works on all OS like how to get microsoft word for fre. Word for Mac doesn't support Family Sharing I personally had a lot of trouble understanding how to download the software for Word for Mac on my wife's MacBook Pro which has a different Apple ID than the iMac which I used to buy the Family version of this app.
Before you begin, make sure your PC or Mac meets the system requirements.
Microsoft 365 For Enterprise Download
If you are reinstalling Office, you have already redeemed a product key, or you are installing Office at work or school and know you have a license, then go to the section sign in to download and install Office.
However, if this is the first time you're installing Office, you may have some pre-installation steps to do first. Expand the Learn more section below for more info.
If this is the first time you're installing Office, you may have to complete a set of pre-installation steps first or you may need to follow different steps than what's contained below. What you do depends if your copy of Office is an Office for home or an Office for business product and whether or not you have a product key you have to redeem, an existing account associated with Office, or a pre-assigned license.
Office for home
If you have an Office for home product and it came with a product key*, before installing for the first time (or sharing it if you have Microsoft 365 Family), you need to redeem your product key first.
Go to office.com/setup and sign in with an existing or new Microsoft account* and then enter your product key to redeem it. Redeeming your key is what adds your Microsoft account to Office and you only have to do this once. If you're renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription with a new product key, use the same Microsoft account you previously associated with your expired version subscription.
Tip: Once this is done, anytime you need to install or reinstall Office you can go straight to the next section, Sign in to download Office and select the tab for help to install on a PC or Mac. Be sure to sign in with the same Microsoft account you used to redeem your product key at office.com/setup.
Office for business
If your Office for business subscription plan includes the desktop version of the Office apps you won't see an option to install it unless someone in your organization assigned a license to you.
Learn how to check this in What Microsoft 365 business product or license do I have? or if you're a Microsoft 365 admin responsible for assigning licenses to people in your organization, see Assign licenses to users.
Once you verify you have a license, anytime you need to install or reinstall Office you can go straight to the section below, Sign in to download Office and select the tab for steps to install on a PC or Mac. You'll sign in with your work or school account for these versions of Office.
*If you don't have a product key or an account
Some versions of Office such as Office Professional Plus 2021, Office Standard 2021, or a stand-alone app such as Word 2021 or Project 2021 don't have an associated Microsoft account, or work or school account.
The steps to install these versions can be different depending if you got Office through one of the following ways:
Microsoft HUP: You bought Office for personal use through your company benefit program and have a product key, see Install Office through HUP.
Volume license versions: IT departments might use a different method when installing Office for people in their organization. Talk to your IT department for install help.
Third-party seller: You bought Office from a third-party and you're having problems with the product key.
Sign in to download and install Office
Install on a PCInstall on a MacNeed help?
Sign in to download Office
Go to www.office.com and if you're not already signed in, select Sign in.
Note: If you're using Microsoft 365 operated by 21 Vianet, sign in with your work or school account to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn. If you're using Microsoft 365 Germany, sign in with your work or school account to portal.office.de.
Sign in with the account you associated with this version of Office. This account can be a Microsoft account, or work or school account. I forgot the account I use with Office
After signing in, follow the steps that match the type of account you signed in with.
You signed in with a Microsoft account
From the Office home page select Install Office.
Select Install (or depending on your version, Install Office>).
You signed in with a work or school account
From the home page select Install Office (If you set a different start page, go to aka.ms/office-install.)
Notes:
For Microsoft 365 operated by 21 Vianet go to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn/account.
For Microsoft 365 Germany go to portal.office.de/account.
Select Office 365 apps to begin the installation.
The 64-bit version is installed by default unless Office detects you already have a 32-bit version of Office (or a stand-alone Office app such as Project or Visio) installed. In this case, the 32-bit version of Office will be installed instead.
To change from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version or vice versa, you need to uninstallOffice first (including any stand-alone Office apps you have such as Project of Visio). Once the uninstall is complete, sign in again to www.office.com and select Other install options, choose the language and version you want (64 or 32-bit), and then select Install. (See Install Visio or Install Project if you need to reinstall those stand-alone apps.)
Notes:
For Microsoft 365 operated by 21 Vianet go to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn.
For Microsoft 365 Germany go to portal.office.de.
This completes the download of Office to your device. To complete the installation, follow the prompts in the 'Install Office' section below.
Tip: Don't see an install option after signing in? There could be an issue with your account. Select Need help? from above and review the solutions under Account questions.
Install Office
Depending on your browser, select Run (in Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer), Setup (in Chrome), or Save File (in Firefox).
If you see the User Account Control prompt that says, Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? select Yes.
The install begins.
Your install is finished when you see the phrase, 'You're all set! Office is installed now' and an animation plays to show you where to find Office applications on your computer. Select Close.
Installation or sign in issues?
Tip: You can download and install the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to help with Microsoft 365 installation issues on a PC. For more information, see About the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.
If you're having an installation issue such as Office taking long to install, try Need help? for a list of common issues.
Activate Office
To open an Office app, select the Start button (lower-left corner of your screen) and type the name of an Office app, like Word.
If you have Windows 8.1 or 8.0, type the name of an Office app on the Start screen. Can't find your Office apps?
To open the Office app, select its icon in the search results.
When the Office app opens, accept the license agreement. Office is activated and ready to use.
Note: The Activation Wizard appears if Office has trouble activating. Complete the steps in the wizard to finish activating Office.
Sign in and install Office
Go to www.office.com and if you're not already signed in, select Sign in.
Note: If you're using Microsoft 365 operated by 21 Vianet, sign in with your work or school account to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn. If you're using Microsoft 365 Germany, sign in with your work or school account to portal.office.de.
Sign in with the account you associated with this version of Office. This account can be a Microsoft account, or work or school account. I forgot the account I use with Office
After signing in, follow the steps that match the type of account you signed in with.
You signed in with a Microsoft account
From the Office home page select Install Office to start the download.
You signed in with a work or school account
From the Microsoft 365 home page select Install Office (if you set a different start page, go to aka.ms/office-install).
Notes:
For Microsoft 365 operated by 21 Vianet go to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn/account.
For Microsoft 365 Germany go to portal.office.de/account.
Select Office 365 apps to begin the download.
Note: Don't see an install option after signing in? There could be an issue with your account. Select Need help? from above and review the issues listed in the section Account questions.
Follow the instructions below to complete installing your Office apps.
Install Office
Once the download has completed, open Finder, go to Downloads, and double-click Microsoft Office installer.pkg file (the name might vary slightly).
Tip: If you see an error that says the Microsoft Office installer.pkg can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer, wait 10 seconds and move the downloaded file to your desktop. Hold Control + click the file to launch the installer.
On the first installation screen, select Continue to begin the installation process.
Review the software license agreement, and then click Continue.
Select Agree to agree to the terms of the software license agreement.
Choose how you want to install Office and click Continue.
Review the disk space requirements or change your install location, and then click Install.
Note: If you want to only install specific Office apps and not the entire suite, click the Customize button and uncheck the programs you don't want.
Enter your Mac login password, if prompted, and then click Install Software. (This is the password that you use to log in to your Mac.)
The software begins to install. Click Close when the installation is finished. If Office installation fails, see What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac.
Launch an Office for Mac app and start the activation process
Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock to display all of your apps.
Click the Microsoft Word icon in the Launchpad.
The What's New window opens automatically when you launch Word. Click Get Started to start activating. If you need help activating Office, see Activate Office for Mac. If Office activation fails, see What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac.
Installation notes
Installation notes
How do I pin the Office app icons to the dock?
Go to Finder > Applications and open the Office app you want.
In the Dock, Control+click or right-click the app icon and choose Options > Keep in Dock.
Can I install Office on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, see Install and set up Office on an iPhone or iPad and set up email on an iOS device (iPhone or iPad).
Sign in or installation FAQ
The following are a few of the more common questions or issues when trying to install Office.
Tip: Don't see your issue listed? Try Troubleshoot installing Office for additional issues and their possible solutions.
Account questions:
Before you can install Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 you need to associate it with a Microsoft account, or work or school account.
If you have an Office for home product and bought Office at a retail store or online store, but don't have a Microsoft account, it's possible you haven't redeemed your product key yet (if you got one), or you missed the step for linking your recent purchase with an account. Do the following to link an account with Office.
For an Office for home product, go to office.com/setup and create a new Microsoft account or sign in with an existing one, then follow the remaining steps on that page such as entering your product key (if you have one). Your account is successfully associated with Office when you see the page, My Office Account followed by your Microsoft account email address, and a button to install Office. Select the PC or Mac tabs above to help you with the rest of the install process.
If the Microsoft account or work or school account isn't working, see I forgot the username or password for the account I use with Office.
After signing in with your work or school account you don't see an option to install the desktop applications on the Microsoft 365 home page, go directly to the Microsoft 365 Software page instead. Select the language and bit-version you want (PC users can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit), and then click Install. See Step 2 and 3 on the PC or Mac tabs above to help you with the rest of the install process.
Notes:
If your organization uses Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet in China, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Software page at https://portal.partner.microsoftonline.cn/OLS/MySoftware.aspx.
If your organization uses Microsoft 365 Germany, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Software page at https://portal.office.de/OLS/MySoftware.aspx.
If you still don't see an option to install Office on the Microsoft 365 Software page, it's possible your admin hasn't assigned a license to you. Find out if you have a license to install Office.
If you're a student or teacher and your institution didn't give you a license, find out if you're eligible to Get Microsoft 365 for free.
If you're trying to sign in with your work or school account to www.office.com and your sign in is blocked, it likely means your Microsoft 365 administrator set up a security policy that's preventing you from signing in to that location.
To install Office, try signing in directly to the Microsoft 365 Software page instead. Select the language and bit-version you want (PC users can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit), and then click Install. See Steps 2 and 3 on the PC or Mac tabs above to help you with the rest of the install process.
Notes:
If your organization uses Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet in China, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Software page at https://portal.partner.microsoftonline.cn/OLS/MySoftware.aspx.
If your organization uses Microsoft 365 Germany, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Software page at https://portal.office.de/OLS/MySoftware.aspx.
If you're still not able to sign in, contact your administrator.
Product key, purchase, and installing older versions of Office:
Not all versions of Office include a key, but if yours did, you need to redeem it before you can install Office. Go to office.com/setup and sign in with an existing Microsoft account or create a new one, then enter your product key. Follow the remaining prompts to finish linking your Microsoft account with this version of Office.
No product key or not sure if you need one? See Using product keys with Office.
Free Word Programs For Mac
The steps in this topic assume you have Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 and you're ready to install or reinstall it. Don't have the latest version yet?
Learn more about the differences between Microsoft 365 and non-subscription versions.
Installation help for older versions of Office:
Install questions or errors during install
For Microsoft 365 subscriptions only: You can install Office on all your devices and be signed in to five at the same time. To learn more, see How sign in works in Microsoft 365.
If you have Microsoft 365 Family, you can also share your Microsoft 365 Family subscription with up to five family members or other people. Each person can install Office on all their devices and be signed in to five at the same time.
For a one-time purchase of Office such as Office Home & Student, Office Home & Business, or Office Professional: You can install these non-subscription versions of Office on only one computer. However, you may transfer Office to another computer that belongs to you if you experience a hardware failure or you buy a new computer. For more information, see the Microsoft License Terms for your product, or see this blog post, Office now transferable.
When installing Office on a PC, you must be an administrator on the PC computer where you want to install Office. If you're not sure, see Check if you have local admin rights to install Office.
If you bought a stand-alone version of an Office app, for example Visio or Word, in most cases you install this app in the same way you install the Office suite, by signing in to www.office.com with your Microsoft account, or work or school account and selecting Install for your stand-alone product.
If you have a subscription to Project Online Professional, Project Online Premium, or Visio Pro for Microsoft 365, see Install Project, or Install Visio for the steps to install the apps that are part of those subscriptions.
The Office apps are available to install on your iPhone and iPad, Android device, or Windows phone and tablet. See Set up Office apps and email on a mobile device.
If Office seems to be taking a very long time to install, this may be caused by problems with your internet connection, firewall, or anti-virus software. For possible solutions, see Office is taking long to install.
Office can also take long to install because of a slow internet connection (such as a dial-up connection). If you don't have a good connection, install Office using the Use the Office offline installer.
Office won't install: Your computer must be running a supported operating system to install Office. You can find a list of which systems are supported on the system requirements page. For example, your install won't be successful if you're trying to install Office on a computer running Windows Vista or Windows XP operating system. If your computer can't install the full desktop version of Office, try the free Office Online apps using your desktop browser.
I received an error message: If you got an error message while trying to install Office and it has a Learn More link, select it to get information for how to troubleshoot that particular error. If there wasn't a link, see Troubleshoot installing Office.
I received an unsupported operating system message: If you got an unsupported operating system error message you may be trying to install Office on an unsupported device such as installing the Mac version of Office on a PC or vice versa, or trying to install Office on a Chromebook or other mobile device. See Unsupported operating system error when installing Office or Set up Office apps and email on a mobile device.
Help with specific applications, and help for Microsoft 365 admins:
For information about how to download the desktop version of OneNote 2016 see OneNote is missing after installing Office 2019 or Microsoft 365.
If Office is installed, but you need help with Office basics, or learn how to do a specific task such as print a document, set up an account in Outlook, or use VLOOKUP in Excel, go to the top of this page and select Apps or Learn Office.
You can also type what you're looking for using the search bar in the upper-right corner.
If you're the Microsoft 365 admin of an Office for business plan, users in your organization can only install Office using the steps in this topic as long as your plan includes the desktop version of Office, and you've assigned the user a license and given them permission to install Office (Manage software download settings in Microsoft 365).
For information about how to assign licenses, see Assign licenses to users in Microsoft 365 for business.
If you've run out of licenses and need to purchase more, see Buy licenses for your Microsoft 365 for business subscription.
Contact Microsoft
If you weren't able to resolve your problem, try contacting Microsoft support.
The trusted app for Word documents
Microsoft Word, one of the most popular programs to create, view, edit, share, and manage Word documents, is available for your Mac device. With a simple and clean interface, the program lets you manage everything easily and quickly. Whether you’re a student, journalist, blogger, columnist, writer, or project manager, you'll find Microsoft Word will be an excellent choice.
Create and collaborate in real-time!
Designed for Mac, it’s all you need to manage Word documents.
Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word processing applications worldwide. It is the go-to app for document creation and management. While you’ll find several word processing apps on the App Store, Microsoft Word is the better choice for all its robust and advanced features.
Using the program, you can conveniently spell check, insert pictures, merge data from MS Excel spreadsheets, display charts, and choose from several embedded objects. One of the most important characteristics of Microsoft Word is the WYSIWYG interface. It instantly matches the text on screen with the final output on the page.
For those who are concerned that the design may look unfamiliar from the original Windows version, you can count that the transition from one platform to the next will be smooth and intuitive.
Simple and clean interface
Among the most popular word processing programs for Mac, Microsoft Word has the cleanest interface. In fact, it’s supported by the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar, making it easier to work on lengthy documents. Since Word also supports the revamped macOS Mojave Dark Mode, it allows you to eliminate distractions while working on important documents throughout the day.
Rich feature list and formats
Word for Mac comes with a wide range of pre-designed templates so you can start working instantly on projects, blogs, assignments, scripts, letters, notes, and CVs. With several layout options and rich formatting to express your thoughts and ideas, it’s the best program for document editing. Unlike its competitors LibreOffice and Pages, Microsoft Word retains the pristine layout and aesthetics on all devices.
Reduced errors with intuitive tools
Microsoft Word is packaged with several intuitive tools to help you with editing and proofreading. While using Word, you won't need tools like Grammarly, since the program gives grammar, spelling, and stylistic writing suggestions as you type. With numerous tools available, you can switch among pen, paper, and digital inking conveniently.
Real-time collaboration for project management
With its real-time collaboration features, Microsoft Word takes the lead. Office 365 gives you the ability to work on the Cloud and ensure seamless integration among several apps. With just a single click, you'll be able to share your documents with anyone, anywhere.
By the same token, anyone who opens the document will be able to add comments or edit in real time.
Easy sharing options
While most word processing programs provide you with easy sharing options, Microsoft Word goes a step ahead. With just a few clicks, you can give each person a different kind of access and permission.
In general, a main problem with sharing options in other programs is the distortion of formatting in email messages. However, when you copy the content from your Microsoft Word document to an email message, there’s no distortion. You can even attach and share documents over email without worrying about the recipient receiving error messages or misrepresented formatting.
Where can you run this program?
Microsoft Word for Mac is available both as part of the Microsoft Office 365 package and as a standalone app. Both options will require you to purchase an Office 365 subscription. Microsoft Word for Mac is compatible with Mac OS 10.12 and above.
Is there a better alternative?
While Microsoft Word is a good choice for Mac, you might want to consider a few alternatives. The Mac OS already has a good word processor called Pages. It offers some great collaboration features and lets you export files to Word format. However, exchanging documents with people who work on Word can be tedious. Moreover, the app doesn’t have advanced features, such as master documents and mail merges.
How To Download Word On Macbook Air
If you’re considering an alternative for Microsoft Word, Google Docs will be your best bet. In fact, Google Drive offers Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which together become the perfect alternative for the entire Office suite. The only drawback is that Mac doesn’t support a desktop app for these programs. When you can’t find a good option, it’s best to settle with Office.com. It gives you free Microsoft Office for Mac. Office.com is Microsoft’s basic and free browser-based service.
Our take
While Microsoft Word is synonymous with Microsoft Windows, most people don’t know that it was first released on the Mac. Though both companies have shared a constant rocky relationship, Microsoft Word has always been a mainstay on Mac devices. With ample features, clean interface, and rich formatting, Word is still a viable option for creating, editing, and managing documents on Mac.
Should you download it?
Yes, without a doubt! Microsoft Word is an excellent word processing app backed by one of the most trusted companies in the world. Over the years, updates have introduced several new features, including integration with Office 365.