I cannot activate an existing subscription for Microsoft 365

Graham Wolstenholme 0 Reputation points
2026-11-09T16:50:34.7733333+00:00

Current status:

Word: works fine

Excel: banner reading "Subscription required to edit and save" I can edit but not save

Powerpoint: banner reading "Subscription required to edit and save" I can not edit or save

I don't use outlook or one note

I started a one month free trial a month ago through the Apple App Store. Couldn't pay the subscription at the end of the free trial -no error message. Found out my debit card had been canceled. Added a new, valid debit card and somehow ended up starting another 1 month free trial

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | MacOS
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  1. Graham Wolstenholme 0 Reputation points
    2026-11-10T01:18:33.76+00:00

    Thank you. I decided to cancel my subscription through the Apple App Store, uninstall Microsoft 365 and then bought paying directly to Microsoft and avoiding the Apple App Store. That seems to work!

    Thanks...

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  2. Graham Wolstenholme 0 Reputation points
    2026-11-10T01:18:03.2433333+00:00

    Thank you. I decided to cancel my subscription through the Apple App Store, uninstall Microsoft 365 and then bought paying directly to Microsoft and avoiding the Apple App Store. That seems to work!

    Thanks...

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  3. John Jefferson Doyon 90,930 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-09T18:06:44.83+00:00

    Hi, @Graham Wolstenholme

    If you haven't tried anything yet, please try to:

    • Open Excel app > At the top of the screen, select Word (or the app name) in the menu bar. > Select About Word. > Click More Info… > Select "Refresh License".
    • Please do the same in PowerPoint app.
    • After that, close any open documents and completely restart all Microsoft 365 apps so the license refresh can take effect.

    If issue still persists:

    I’d suggest is to uninstall any existing Office apps on your Mac to avoid conflict:

    Here are the steps: https://support.microsoft.com/Microsoft-365-Activation-Licensing/how-to-remove-office-license-files-on-a-mac

    Then reinstall Microsoft 365 apps again. Subscriptions bought through Apple are managed entirely by Apple. You can check this by going to your iCloud settings on an Apple device or online, then looking under Subscriptions using your Apple ID.

    Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions or concerns.

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Thanks!

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