As a student or professional, you may need Microsoft Office suite for your work. However, you might have noticed that the software is available through an Office 365 subscription. This could cause confusion, especially if you're not familiar with the sign-in process. In this guide, we'll show you how to sign in to Office 365 and offer solutions to common sign-in issues, so you can start using the suite with ease.
Part 1: Why Do You Need to Sign in Office 365?
You need to sign in to Office 365 to access the suite's apps and services, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive. This ensures that your account is linked to your subscription and you can access your files and settings across multiple devices
Necessity of Signing in
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will be requested to sign in to access Office after installation or after you sign out. Your subscription includes a sign - in limit that limits how many Office installations you may sign in to simultaneously.
What You Get Once You Sign in
Once you're signed in to Office 365, the following happens:
You can access all the apps and services within the suite.
Your files and settings will be synced across multiple devices.
You can collaborate with others in real-time and share files and folders.
You can use cloud-based features like version history and automatic saving.
You can customize your Office experience by setting preferences and saving templates.
You can take advantage of online storage options through OneDrive.
Part 2: How to Sign in Office 365?
Are you looking to access Microsoft's popular suite of productivity applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, through Office 365? To do so, you will need to sign in to your Office 365 account. But before that, you must first create a Microsoft account if you don't already have one.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through the step-by-step process of creating a Microsoft account, and then show you how to sign in and out of Office 365 on various devices and platforms, such as PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and the web. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will help you navigate the sign-in process with ease.
How to Create a Microsoft Account?
What is a Microsoft account
Microsoft account is a single set of login credentials that allows you to access a variety of Microsoft services, including Office 365, OneDrive, Skype, Xbox, and more. It is essentially an email address and password that you can use to sign in to Microsoft's ecosystem of products and services.
Why users need to create a Microsoft account
A Microsoft account is necessary to access many Microsoft services and products, such as Outlook, OneDrive, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Office 365, and Windows 10
By creating a Microsoft account, you can:
Sign in to your Windows 10 device and personalize your settings
Access and use the Microsoft Store to download apps, games, and other content
Use OneDrive to store and sync files across multiple devices
Communicate with friends and colleagues using Skype and Microsoft Teams
Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations using Office 365
Use Outlook to manage your emails, calendar, and contacts
In short, a Microsoft account allows you to take full advantage of Microsoft's ecosystem of products and services.
Steps to create Microsoft Account
Here are the steps to create a Microsoft account:
Go to the Microsoft account sign-up page on your web browser.
Enter your preferred email address and password in the fields provided.
3. Fill in your personal information, including your first and last name, country/region, date of birth, and gender.
4. Microsoft sends a code to the email addresses you provided. Check your email and Insert the code into the corresponding field.
5. Solve the CAPTCHA on the following page to confirm you're human, then click Next.
6. That was it. The Microsoft account is now created. Then you can "Add your name" or customize other settings on your Microsoft's account home page.
How to Sign in and out of Office 365?
To sign in to Office 365, users need their email address and password, along with a stable internet connection on their PC or mobile device. It's also important to have a compatible web browser and an active Microsoft account for managing their subscription and accessing additional services.
How to Sign in and out of Office 365 on PC
Open any Office 365 app on your PC.
Click on "Sign In" and enter your email and password.
3. To sign out, click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign Out
How to Sign in and out of Office 365 on Mac
Open any Office app such as Word/ Powerpoint…
On the backstage screen Click on "Sign In" and enter your email and password.
3. To sign out, click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign Out".
How to Sign in and out of Office 365 on iOS
Open the Office app
Tap on "Sign In" and enter your email and password.
3. To sign out, tap on your profile picture in the top left corner and select "Sign Out".
How to Sign in and out of Office 365 on Android
1. Tap on "Sign In" and enter your email and password.
2. To sign out, tap on your profile picture in the top left corner and select "Sign Out".
How to Sign in and out of Office 365 on the Web
Go to the Office 365 website and click on "Sign In".
Enter your email and password.
3. To sign out, click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign Out".
Why Can’t I Sign in to Office 365?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to sign in to Office 365:
Incorrect email or password: Make sure you are entering the correct email address and password associated with your Office 365 account. Double-check for typos, and try resetting your password if you can't remember it.
The maximum number of logins for the same account on other devices has been reached: Microsoft Membership Services limits the number of logins for the same account on different devices. If you have reached the maximum number of logins, you won't be able to sign in. You can either log out of Office 365 on other devices or purchase additional licenses to increase the number of logins.
The account is locked due to security protection: If Microsoft detects any suspicious activity on your account, it may lock your account for security reasons. You can unlock your account by verifying your identity through a security code sent to your phone or email.
No internet connection or unstable internet connection: If you are having trouble signing in, check your internet connection to make sure you are connected to the internet. If your internet connection is unstable, you may not be able to sign in.
Your subscription has expired: If your Office 365 subscription has expired, you won't be able to sign in. To renew your subscription, go to your account page and purchase a new subscription.
If none of the above solutions work, contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
How to Reset a Forgotten Microsoft Account Password
If you input an erroneous password, you'll receive the message: Your account or password is wrong. If you can't remember your password, you can reset it right now.
Follow these steps to reset your password:
1. Click the Forgot password
2. Confirm your identification
Option 1: You have received and can choose a verification method.
Choose which option will get the verification code.
Select Next
Option 2: No verification choices are provided, or you no longer have access to any of the alternatives.
You won't be able to reset your password this way if you don't see a place to submit a code or if you no longer have access to any of the verification alternatives listed.
3. Obtain a confirmation code
Select Get code.
Microsoft will send a verification code to the email address or phone number you provided.
Navigate to the recovery phone number or email address where you expect to get the code.
4. Enter the code and reset your password
If you successfully reset your password, now is a good moment to schedule a reminder to verify or alter your security contact information.
How to Use OneDrive to Store Your Files
Upload files or folders to OneDrive
OneDrive supports over 300 different file formats. When using Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, do the following:
Sign in to office.com.
Select the app launcher icon App Launcher, and then select OneDrive.
3. Upload > Files or Upload > Folder will be shown.
4. Choose the files or folders to upload.
5. Choose Open or Choose Folder.
Save a file to OneDrive
1. Choose File > Save a Copy > OneDrive - Personal from the menu.
2. Choose Enter file name here and enter a name.
3. Choose Save.
How to Share and Collaborate on Online Documents
Share your document
1. Choose Share.
2. Set the appropriate permissions.
3. Enter the names or email addresses of the people you want to share your information with.
4. Optionally, provide a message.
5. Choose Send.
After you've shared your paper, you may collaborate on it with others.
Add a comment
Choose Review > New Comment.
2. A comment box A comment bubble displays where there is a note in the document.
3. Enter a comment and press the Post button.
Part 3: What is the Best Alternative to Office 365
While Office 365 is a widely used productivity suite, it may not be the best fit for everyone due to its subscription-based model and cost. Fortunately, there are several alternatives available, and one of the most popular is WPS Office.
Basic Information
WPS Office is a free office software that provides various components, such as word processor (WPS Writer), slides editor (WPS Presentation), pdf editor (WPS PDF Tools) and spreadsheet editor (WPS Spreadsheet), etc. It is compatible with various systems and currently has over 500 million active users worldwide
Features and Functions
WPS Office is free, unlike other software that requires a purchase or subscription
Premium functions and services are available without a WPS account
WPS Template Store offers many free templates in different formats
Simple, user-friendly interface and compatible with various systems
Various office components available, including WPS Writer, WPS Presentation, WPS PDF Tools, and WPS Spreadsheet
Over 500 million active users worldwide
Pricing
WPS Office has both a free and paid version.
Trustpilot Rating
WPS Office has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot Rating
Steps to Download and Install WPS Office
Here are the steps to download and install WPS Office:
1. Go to the WPS Office and click on the " Free Download" button.
2. Once the download is complete, double-click on the installer file to begin the installation process.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. You may be prompted to choose the language and destination folder for the installation.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch WPS Office from the Start menu or by clicking on the desktop icon.
That's it! You are now ready to use WPS Office on your computer.
If you are a first-time user, you will need to create a WPS account to access additional features and services. However, you can skip this step and use the basic features without signing up.
FAQs
Can I use Office 365 without Internet connection?
While Office 365 is primarily designed to work with an Internet connection, it is possible to use some of its applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, without an Internet connection by using the "offline" mode. This allows you to access and edit documents stored on your computer, but you will not be able to access cloud-based features or collaborate with others until you are back online
Is the security of documents in OneDrive guaranteed?
Microsoft OneDrive takes various measures to safeguard your data and ensure its security in the cloud. These measures include encryption, access controls, threat detection, and more.
However, like any cloud storage service, the security of your documents in OneDrive is not guaranteed, and there is always a small risk of a security breach.
Can I use OneDrive without Office 365 subscription?
Yes, you can use OneDrive without Office 365. OneDrive is a cloud-based storage service that allows you to store, share, and sync your files across different devices. You can access your OneDrive account through a web browser or the OneDrive app on your mobile device, regardless of whether you have an Office 365 subscription or not.
However, if you want to create, edit, or collaborate on Office documents stored in OneDrive, you will need an Office 365 subscription or access to the free online versions of Office apps.
Summary
In conclusion, signing in to Office 365 can sometimes be a challenging process, but with the right steps and troubleshooting techniques, anyone can access the valuable tools and services offered by Microsoft. However, for those who are looking for an alternative to Office 365, WPS Office is an excellent option that provides a free, cross-platform office suite.
It has a similar interface to Microsoft Office, supports a wide range of file formats, and offers cloud storage through its WPS Cloud service. WPS Office is a reliable and cost-effective option for users who need an office suite and don't want to pay for a subscription to Office 365.
