Can You Use Microsoft Office on Mac?
Yes, you can use Microsoft Office on a Mac. As of 2026, Microsoft Office is a native application for macOS, fully compatible with Apple silicon Macs. It is not a game, but a core productivity suite for document creation, spreadsheets, and presentations. You install it directly on your Mac and use it like any other app.
Compatibility Status
Microsoft Office for Mac is a native application. This means it is built specifically for macOS and does not require translation software like Rosetta 2. The current version is fully optimized for all Apple silicon chips, including M1, M2, M3, and M4. It is distributed through the Microsoft website or a Microsoft 365 subscription. It is not available on the Mac App Store.
Performance on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)
Performance is fast and reliable on Apple silicon Macs. The applications launch quickly and run without lag. The specific experience can vary based on your Mac model and the complexity of your documents.
- M1/M2 Macs: Office runs very well on these chips. Everyday tasks in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are smooth.
- M3/M4 Macs: Performance is excellent. You will see the best results with large, complex Excel files or PowerPoint presentations with many media elements. The efficiency cores on these chips help with battery life during light use.
- General Note: All features, including real-time co-authoring and cloud auto-save, work as intended. Performance is consistent with using a native macOS app.
Installation Steps
You install Microsoft Office by downloading it directly from Microsoft. You need a Microsoft account. The main installation method is through a Microsoft 365 subscription, which provides continuous updates. A one-time purchase option for a specific version is also available, but it does not receive major feature updates. Detailed steps are in the installation guide section below.
Tips for the Best Experience
To ensure Office runs well on your Mac, follow these tips. Keep your macOS and Office apps updated to the latest versions. This fixes bugs and improves compatibility. Sign in with your Microsoft account to enable cloud features like OneDrive saving and co-authoring. For large Excel files, close other unused applications to free up system memory. Adjust AutoSave settings in Word or Excel if you work on very large documents and experience slight pauses, toggling it off temporarily during intensive edits. Store your files in OneDrive or iCloud Drive for reliable version history and access across devices.
Common Issues
Some users encounter specific issues. A common one is prompts to grant permissions for files stored in iCloud Drive or external drives. You must grant full disk access to the Office apps in System Settings under Privacy and Security to resolve this. Another issue is fonts appearing differently between Mac and Windows. Use standard, cloud fonts available in Office to maintain consistency. If an app crashes on launch, try deleting its preferences. You can find these files in your user Library folder, inside the Containers folder for the specific Office application. If performance slows with a very large document, try breaking it into smaller sections or saving a copy to your Mac's local desktop instead of a cloud drive during editing.
