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How to reactivate my Office for Mac

Richard Dear 0 Reputation points
2026-06-01T13:34:49.6966667+00:00

My Office for Mac version 16.109.2, which i have been using for many years, has just asked me to activate the Excel spreadsheet I was using and has given me limited access until I do. It won't let me reactivate saying it cant find the licence. I bought it with lifetime use so not sure how to do the re-activation. I have had the same thing happen a few years ago and had to contact your tech support who kindly took me through the reactivation. The number I phoned Is no longer providing support by phone.

Many thanks for your help.

Richard Dear

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
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  1. Alexandr S 105.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-01T14:35:48.2+00:00

    Hello, Richard Dear.

    If you have not been able to solve the activation problem yourself, then contact a Microsoft support specialist, but not by phone, but in a chat. To do this, log in to your MS account on the page https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/home/contact?SourceApp=smc2&ContactUsExperienceEntryPointAssetId=www.microsoft.com

    In the search bar, type (without quotes) "agent support" and press Enter or click on Get Help. Ignore the search results, and click on the "Contact Support" button at the bottom. On the next page, select "Microsoft 365 and Office" and "Technical Support" from the drop-down lists, and then click on "Confirm". Next, select the chat "Chat with a support agent in your web browser" and on the next page, enter (if requested) your (the one that works) email address and click on "Confirm". A chat window will open in a new tab. Wait for the operator to respond and explain the situation to him.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-01T13:35:21.6733333+00:00

    Follow these steps to reactivate Office for Mac and restore full access.

    1. Confirm the license and account
    • Go to the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page: https://account.microsoft.com/services.
    • Sign in with the same Microsoft account that was used when Office was originally activated.
    • Verify that the perpetual (lifetime) Office for Mac/Office 2019/Office 2016 license appears there. This confirms which account Office is tied to.
    1. If Office says “No license found” or can’t sign in
    • Sign out of Office completely.
    • Sign back in using the Microsoft account that shows the Office license on the Services & subscriptions page.
    • If there is a work or school account instead of a personal one, the license may need to be (re)assigned by the organization’s admin.
    1. Fix “No license found” / activation issues on Mac If Excel is prompting to activate but can’t find the license, use the Mac-specific activation troubleshooting steps:
    • Make sure the correct Microsoft account is used:
      • Sign out in Excel/Word.
      • Sign in again and, if prompted, choose “Sign in with another account” and enter the account that has the license.
    • If activation still fails or Office keeps prompting:
      1. Run the Office for Mac License Removal Tool to clear old or corrupted license files: see “How to remove Office license files on a Mac”.
      2. Open Spotlight (magnifying glass), search for “Keychain Access”, and open it.
      3. Search for “Office” and delete the Office data license entries as described in the Mac activation article.
      4. Restart the Mac.
      5. Open Excel (or any Office app) and sign in again with the licensed Microsoft account to reactivate.
    1. If Office is installed but needs reactivation
    • Use the general reactivation guidance:
      • For Microsoft 365 or perpetual Office: follow the “Reactivate Microsoft 365 or Office” steps, which direct to the appropriate activation article for Mac.
      • For Office for Mac specifically, use the “Activate Office for Mac” guidance.
    1. If activation still fails
    • Use the guided support for reactivation: the “Try guided support” link in the Reactivate Microsoft 365 or Office article walks through automated checks and fixes.
    • If the issue persists (for example, Office reports “No license found” even though the license is visible under Services & subscriptions), contact Microsoft Support via the online support options listed in the activation articles, since telephone activation and some phone support paths are no longer available for these products.

    Note: Some older perpetual Office versions no longer support telephone activation; activation must be completed online using the Microsoft account associated with the license.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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