The fastest way to get Word on Mac

The most direct route is to buy Word through the Microsoft Store or through a Microsoft 365 subscription. If you already have a Microsoft account, you can sign in and download Word directly to your Mac in about five minutes. If you don't have an account yet, you'll create one during the purchase process.

Word runs natively on modern Macs — both Intel and Apple Silicon machines. You'll need macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer. Once installed, Word works like any other Mac application: you launch it from Applications, create documents, and save them to your computer or to OneDrive.

Key Takeaways

  • You can buy Word as a one-time purchase or through Microsoft 365, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps for a monthly or yearly fee.
  • The Mac App Store and Microsoft's website both sell Word, but Microsoft 365 is usually cheaper if you plan to use Word regularly.
  • After purchase, you download the installer from your account page, run it, and sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the software.
  • Word on Mac saves documents in .docx format by default and syncs with OneDrive if you choose, but you can also save locally to your computer.

Buying Word outright versus Microsoft 365

Microsoft offers two ways to own Word on Mac. The first is a one-time purchase of Word alone, which costs around $160 and never expires. You own that version permanently, though you won't receive feature updates beyond security patches.

The second option is Microsoft 365, a subscription that costs roughly $70 per year for a single user or $100 per year for a household plan that covers up to six people. Microsoft 365 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive storage. You get new features and security updates automatically, and you can install the apps on multiple devices at once.

If you only need Word occasionally, the one-time purchase makes sense. If you use Word regularly or want the other Office apps, Microsoft 365 usually costs less over time and keeps your software current.

Downloading Word from the Mac App Store

Open the Mac App Store on your Mac — it's in the Applications folder or in Launchpad. Search for "Microsoft Word" in the store. The official app shows the Microsoft logo and is labeled "Microsoft Word" with "Microsoft Corporation" as the publisher.

Click the price button (or "Get" if you have a free trial available). You'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. After payment processes, the app downloads and installs automatically. Once complete, you can open Word from Launchpad or Applications.

The Mac App Store version works identically to the version from Microsoft's website, but some users prefer buying directly from Microsoft because it's sometimes cheaper during sales.

Downloading Word from Microsoft's website

Go to microsoft.com/mac/word and click "Buy Now" or "Try for free" depending on what you want. If you're buying, you'll choose between a one-time purchase or Microsoft 365, then proceed to checkout with a credit card or Microsoft account balance.

After purchase, sign in to your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com/services and find Word in your list of installed software. Click "Install" next to Word. Your browser downloads a file called "Microsoft_Word_16.XX.installer.pkg" (the numbers vary by version).

Open that installer file from your Downloads folder. Follow the prompts, which ask you to agree to the license and choose where to install Word. The installer places Word in your Applications folder. When installation finishes, open Word from Applications and sign in with your Microsoft account to activate it.

Installing Microsoft 365 on Mac

If you buy Microsoft 365, the download process is the same as buying Word alone — you go to microsoft.com, purchase the subscription, and download the installer. The difference is that Microsoft 365 includes multiple apps, so the installer places Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and other tools in your Applications folder all at once.

After the first installation, Microsoft 365 checks for updates automatically. When updates are available, you'll see a notification, and you can install them without restarting your Mac in most cases. Your subscription renews automatically each year unless you turn off auto-renewal in your account settings.

What to do if Word won't install or open

If the installer won't run, check that you're using macOS 11 or newer. Go to the Apple menu, click "About This Mac," and look at the version number. If you're on an older version, you'll need to update macOS first — go to System Settings, click "General," then "Software Update."

If Word installs but won't open, try restarting your Mac. If it still won't launch, open Applications, right-click Word, and select "Open." If you see a message about the app being from an unidentified developer, click "Open" again to override the warning. If Word opens but asks you to sign in repeatedly, sign out completely (go to File menu, then "Sign out"), restart Word, and sign back in.

If you're still stuck, uninstall Word by dragging it from Applications to Trash, empty the Trash, restart your Mac, and download the installer again from your Microsoft account page.

Signing in and activating Word

The first time you open Word after installation, you'll see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account — this is the account you used to purchase or subscribe to Word. Word then activates and you can start creating documents.

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you must sign in at least once every 30 days for Word to remain active. If you're using a one-time purchase, you only need to sign in once to activate; after that, you can use Word offline without signing in again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Word on Mac if I have a Microsoft account but haven't paid for it?

No. You need either a one-time purchase or an active Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft does offer a free web version of Word at office.com that works in any browser, but the Mac application requires payment. Some schools and employers provide Microsoft 365 to students and employees for free through their accounts.

Will Word on Mac work with files I created on Windows?

Yes. Word on Mac opens, edits, and saves .docx files (the standard Word format) without any conversion. If you have older .doc files from Word 2003 or earlier, Word on Mac can open those too, though you may see minor formatting differences.

Do I need to install Word separately on each Mac I own?

With Microsoft 365, you can install Word on up to five devices at once under the same account, though you can only use it on one device at a time. With a one-time purchase, you can install Word on one Mac only. If you need it on a second Mac, you'll need to buy another license.

Can I save Word documents to my Mac instead of OneDrive?

Yes. When you save a document, choose "This Mac" instead of "OneDrive" in the save dialog. Word stores the file in whatever folder you select. You can also change the default save location in Word's preferences under "Save" to always save locally unless you choose otherwise.

What happens to my Word documents if my Microsoft 365 subscription expires?

Your documents stay on your Mac and you can still open and read them, but you won't be able to edit or create new documents until you renew your subscription. If you have a one-time purchase, your documents and editing access never expire.