How to install older version of word on a Mac 2017 with Ventura 13.7.8

KC 0 Reputation points
2026-08-10T16:22:12.5966667+00:00

I swear to to all things good Please help me or explain how to put word back on my Macbook what have they done deleted it and force you to upgrade your Macbook because i'm unable to run MacOS 14.....can you only use the online version? I need some help :) thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | Other | MacOS
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  1. Stefan Blom 351.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-08-10T19:55:31.79+00:00

    Since you have macOS 13, you should be able to run Office. You won't be able to install the most recent release, though. You can install release 16.100 from the update history page at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac .

    For more on running Office under older versions of macOS, see https://www.brandwares.com/bestpractices/2023/03/most-recent-office-you-can-run-best-practices/ .

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-10T16:22:27.82+00:00

    On a MacBook running macOS Ventura 13.7.8, Word can still be installed locally. The supported path in the provided guidance is to install an older Microsoft 365 for Mac build that works with Ventura: version 16.101.

    Steps:

    1. Remove the current Office apps if they are broken or missing
      • Close Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
      • Open Finder > Applications.
      • Find the Office apps, control-click each one, and choose Move to Trash.
    2. Install a Ventura-compatible Office build
    3. If Word installs but keeps asking to activate
      • Quit Word.
      • Restart any Office app.
      • If the activation prompt keeps returning:
        • Open Spotlight.
        • Search for Keychain and open it.
        • Search for Office and delete the data license file.
        • Then run the license removal tool: Run the license removal tool
    4. If the wrong Office license is attached after reinstalling
      • Remove the old Office license files and reactivate using the correct Microsoft 365 license.

    Important:

    • Ventura 13.7.8 requires an older Office build in the provided guidance.
    • Newer Microsoft 365 installations may require macOS Sonoma 14 or later.
    • On Mac, older Office licenses may need to be removed even after uninstalling the older version first.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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