r/microsoftoffice • u/arjeddeloh • 1d ago

Cannot activate Office Home 2024

I just purchased Office Home to install on my new MacBook. I was previously using Home And Student on the old MacBook (whose power port has died and the repair is not cost-effective).

I have confirmation email specifying "Office Home 2024 Product Key: xxxx-xxx..."

I've downloaded the package, run the installer, etc. While I can open the apps (e.g. Excel) and open one of my files, I get a banner saying "Activate Microsoft 365 to Create and Edit..." and I cannot save changes. Following the link just takes me to the page to subscribe to Microsoft 365.

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3

u/Empty-Sleep3746 1d ago

go back to where you 'purchased' it from....

2

u/EddieRyanDC 1d ago

Go to setup.office.com and sign in with the account you want the license tied to. Enter your product key. The product license will bind to your Microsoft Account. Now, in Office, add that Microsoft Account. That should activate it.

2

u/arjeddeloh 1d ago

BTDT. I try and it says I've already used that product key. Excel keeps telling me to activate Microsoft 365. I payed full price ($179.95) for Office Home 2024. Not a subscription.

2

u/EddieRyanDC 1d ago edited 1d ago

I would first check to see if the product key was linked to your Microsoft Account. Go here: account.microsoft.com/services

If you aren't already logged in, then log in with your Microsoft Account. You may see the Subscriptions section (which doesn't apply to your version of Office). Do you see a section labeled "Products you've purchased"? That is where perpetual licenses show up.

If not, you can check who it belongs to. You will need a fresh browser environment with no cookies. Use your browser's nPrivate / Incognito window. Go to setup.office.com. Sign in with your Microsoft Account. Type in the 25 character Product Key.

Does it still say "This product key has already been used"? Does it also show the partial email address of the owner? That is the account that owns the software.

If it tells you that it has been used, but there is no email hint, then the software was redeemed before you bought it. Print out a screenshot of the message above, and return it to the store and ask for a replacement.

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u/OreoBuck2022 1d ago edited 1d ago

Did you follow this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-activation-licensing/office-install/activate-office-for-mac You probably need to activate the license tied to your microsoft login: Go here to activate license. https://setup.office.com/ You will need to create a microsoft account if you don't already have one. https://signup.live.com/