Office 2021 on Your Mac
Microsoft Office 2021 runs natively on macOS, fully optimized for both Intel and Apple Silicon processors. This guide walks you through downloading, installing, and activating Office 2021 on your Mac, whether you're using a MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Studio.
Step 1: Preparation
Prepare your Mac for Office installation
Check macOS Version
Click the Apple menu > About This Mac to verify you're running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later. Update if needed via System Preferences > Software Update.
Remove Old Office Versions
If you have Office 2019 or older installed, remove it first. Move Office apps from Applications to Trash and empty it. You can also use a tool like AppCleaner for complete removal.
Free Up Disk Space
Ensure you have at least 10 GB of free space. Check in Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. Clear space if needed by removing large files.
Prepare Your Product Key
Have your 25-character product key ready. You'll need it to activate Office after installation.
Step 2: Download Office 2021
Get the official installer for Mac
Method 1: Microsoft WebsiteRecommended
- 1Go to office.com/setup in Safari or Chrome
- 2Sign in with your Microsoft account (create one if needed)
- 3Enter your 25-character product key
- 4Click 'Install Office' and choose Mac version
- 5The installer (.pkg file) will download to your Downloads folder
Method 2: Mac App Store
- 1Open the Mac App Store on your Mac
- 2Search for 'Microsoft Word' or 'Microsoft Excel'
- 3Download individual apps (free trial, then activate)
- 4Note: This method may not support all activation types
Download Information
- File name
- Microsoft_Office_Installer.pkg
- File size
- Approximately 1.8 GB
- Download time
- 10-30 minutes (varies by speed)
Step 3: Install Office 2021
Run the installer on your Mac
Open the Installer
Locate the downloaded .pkg file in your Downloads folder and double-click to open it.
Follow the Installation Wizard
Click Continue on the welcome screen. Review the license agreement and click Agree. Click Install to begin.
Authenticate with Password
Enter your Mac administrator password or use Touch ID when prompted to authorize the installation.
Wait for Installation
The installer will copy files to your Applications folder. This takes about 5-10 minutes. Don't close the installer.
Installation Complete
Click Close when you see 'Installation was successful.' You can move the installer to Trash.
Office 2021 installs Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. All apps appear in your Applications folder and Launchpad.
Step 4: Activate Office 2021
Enter your product key to unlock all features
Open Any Office App
Launch Word, Excel, or PowerPoint from the Applications folder or Launchpad.
Sign In or Activate
You'll see an activation prompt. Click 'I have a product key' or 'Activate' button.
Enter Product Key
Type your 25-character product key (format: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) and click Activate.
Confirm Activation
Wait for the activation to complete. You'll see a confirmation message when successful.
Verify Activation Status
- 1Open any Office app (Word, Excel, etc.)
- 2Click the app name in menu bar (e.g., 'Word')
- 3Select 'About Word' (or respective app)
- 4Check for 'Product Activated' or 'Licensed to' message
Step 5: Apple Silicon Optimization
Get the best performance on M1, M2, and M3 Macs
Office 2021 runs natively on Apple Silicon, delivering exceptional performance. Here's how to ensure you're getting the most from your Mac:
Native Apple Silicon Support
Office 2021 includes universal binaries that run natively on M1, M2, and M3 chips. No Rosetta 2 translation needed for the latest version.
Check App Architecture
Open Activity Monitor, find Word/Excel, and check the 'Kind' column. It should say 'Apple' not 'Intel' for native performance.
Update to Latest Version
Go to Help > Check for Updates in any Office app. Updates often include Apple Silicon optimizations.
Battery Life Benefits
Native Apple Silicon support means better battery life on MacBooks compared to Intel-based Macs running the same workloads.
About Rosetta 2
Step 6: Troubleshooting
Solutions to common Mac installation issues
Remove Office Licenses (Reset)
If you need to reset your Office activation, use Microsoft's license removal tool:
View Microsoft guidePro Tips for Office on Mac
Enable Dark Mode
Office respects macOS Dark Mode. Go to System Preferences > General > Appearance to switch.
Use Continuity Features
Handoff works with Office apps. Start a document on your Mac, continue on iPad or iPhone.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac shortcuts differ from Windows. Command replaces Ctrl. Press Command+? in any app for help.
iCloud Drive Integration
Save files to iCloud Drive for access across all Apple devices. Use File > Save As > iCloud.
Enable AutoSave
Store documents in OneDrive or iCloud to enable automatic saving and version history.
Optimize for Retina Display
Office automatically scales for Retina displays. Ensure 'Displays have separate Spaces' is on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Office 2021 Guides
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