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How to Download Microsoft Office for Free on Mac (A Comprehensive Guide)

February 2, 2024 15.7K views

Are you struggling to get Microsoft Office on your Mac without breaking the bank? Join us on this journey where we address your concerns, share user insights, and provide essential tips. Let's navigate the world of Office apps on Mac together.

How Many Office Apps Are Available on Mac?

apps


  1. Microsoft Word: A word processing application used for creating and editing documents.

  2. Microsoft Excel: A spreadsheet application for creating and managing spreadsheets, charts, and data analysis.

  3. Microsoft PowerPoint: A presentation application used to create slideshows and presentations.

  4. Microsoft Outlook: An email and calendar management application that also includes task and contact management features.

  5. OneNote: A note-taking application for creating and organizing digital notebooks with various types of content, such as text, images, and drawings.

  6. OneDrive: While not an "app" in the traditional sense, OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service. You can access your OneDrive files through the web or the OneDrive desktop app on your Mac.

  7. Microsoft Teams: A collaboration and communication platform that includes chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and integration with other Office apps.


Microsoft Office Apps for Mac - Free Download (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Access AppStore and select your apps:You can choose to download and install all the Microsoft Office apps or select specific ones like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others.

select app


Step 2: Waiting for the download process

downlaod process


Step 3: Once completed, you can start using Microsoft Office applications on your Mac. They will be fully functional as long as your subscription is active.

How to Activate Microsoft Office for Mac

Step 1: Open any Microsoft Office app from Finder > Applications.

Step 2: Click "Get Started" in the "What's New" box that appears.

get started


Step 3: On the Sign-in screen, select "Sign In."

sign in


Step 4: If you weren't prompted to sign in, open a blank file, and go to File > New from Template > Sign in.

Step 5: Enter your Microsoft 365 email address and click "Next."

enter email


Step 6: Enter your password associated with the email address and click "Sign In."

enter password


You're done! Click "Start Using Word" (or the respective app) to start using it.

done


How to Use Word/Excel/PowerPoint Features for Free with WPS Office

What is WPS Office

WPS Office


WPS Office is a free, feature-rich office suite that includes applications like Writer (similar to Microsoft Word), Spreadsheets (similar to Microsoft Excel), and Presentation (similar to Microsoft PowerPoint). Here are three advantages related to PowerPoint editing or other features that Microsoft Office does not offer for free:

WPS Office Features:

  1. Writer (Word Alternative): WPS Writer allows you to create and edit documents with a variety of formatting tools, templates, and collaboration features.

  2. Spreadsheets (Excel Alternative): WPS Spreadsheets provides powerful data analysis tools, charts, and graphs for creating and managing spreadsheets.

  3. Presentation (PowerPoint Alternative): WPS Presentation lets you create engaging slideshows with various templates and multimedia elements.

Advantages of WPS Office for PowerPoint Editing and More:

  1. Co-editing within Word document, Spreadsheet, and Presentation: WPS Office allows multiple users to collaborate on the same document, spreadsheet, or presentation simultaneously, similar to Microsoft Office Online. This real-time co-editing feature enhances teamwork and productivity.

  2. Share documents in a group, and group members can edit them with your permission: WPS Office provides the capability to share documents with specific groups of users, and you can assign different levels of editing permissions. This makes it easier to collaborate with colleagues or classmates on projects.

  3. PDF editing feature: WPS Office offers a built-in PDF editor, allowing you to edit PDF documents without the need for additional software. You can add, delete, or modify text, images, and pages in PDF files, which is a feature not available in many free alternatives.

Step 1: Download and Install WPS Office:

Download and install the WPS Office application for your platform from the official website or app store.

Step 2: Launch WPS Office:

Open the installed WPS Office application.

Step 3: Choose an Application:

Select the specific WPS Office application you want to use, such as Writer (Word), Spreadsheets (Excel), or Presentation (PowerPoint).

select applications


Step 4: Create or Open a Document:

Start by creating a new document or opening an existing one, supporting various file formats, including Microsoft Office formats.

open or create


Step 5: Use the Features:

Explore and use the available features and tools, which are similar to Microsoft Office.

use features


Step 6: Editing and Formatting:

Edit text, format documents, create tables and charts, add images, and apply styles and themes, depending on the application.

Step 7: Saving Your Work:

Go to Menu> Save or Save As. Save your documents regularly to ensure your work is preserved. Save in various formats, including Microsoft Office formats and PDF.

save document


Trustpilotstars4.8
WPS Office- Free All-in-One Office Suite
  • Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

  • Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

  • Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

  • Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

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avator
Algirdas Jasaitis
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FAQs

Do you have to pay for Microsoft Office for Mac?

Yes, Microsoft 365 subscriptions require payment, and they are available for both Mac and Windows users. Office Home & Business 2021 and Office Home & Student 2021 are indeed available as one-time purchases for Mac users. These options provide access to applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

What is the last version of Office for Mac?

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 is one of the latest versions of Office available for Mac, and it includes classic Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Summary

In this guide, we've explored office applications on Mac, We discussed how to download and activate Microsoft Office for Mac and highlighted WPS Office's advantages, including PowerPoint editing and unique features not found in Microsoft Office for free. Microsoft Office for Mac offers powerful applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, and Teams. Some require subscriptions, while others can be purchased with one-time licenses, providing essential productivity tools.

On the other hand, WPS Office stands as a robust, free alternative, offering Writer (Word), Spreadsheets (Excel), and Presentation (PowerPoint) applications. What sets WPS Office apart are features like real-time co-editing, group collaboration with various editing permissions, and a built-in PDF editor. These advantages make WPS Office a compelling choice for those seeking cost-effective office software.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.