How to Download and Install Microsoft Word on a Mac

Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word processing programs available today It allows users to create professional documents like letters, reports, and more While Word comes pre-installed on Windows PCs, Mac users will need to download and install it separately. Fortunately, downloading Word on a Mac is quick and easy. In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step.

Prerequisites

Before downloading Word, your Mac will need to meet the minimum system requirements:

• macOS 10.14 or later
• 4GB RAM
• 5GB storage space

You’ll also need an active Microsoft 365 subscription. This gives you access to the latest version of Word, along with other Office apps like Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Microsoft 365 Personal costs $69.99 per year, while Microsoft 365 Family allows sharing with up to 6 people for $99.99 per year

If you don’t have a subscription yet, you can purchase one during the Word download process

Download Word from the Mac App Store

The easiest way to get Word on a Mac is to download it from the App Store:

1. Open the App Store on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or Dock.

2. In the search bar at the top, type in “Microsoft Word”.

3. Select the Microsoft Word app from the search results.

4. Click “Get” and then “Install App”.

5. If prompted, enter your App Store password to start the download.

The App Store will now download and install Word. This could take several minutes depending on your internet connection speed.

Download Word from the Microsoft Website

You can also download Word directly from Microsoft:

1. Open your web browser and go to the Microsoft 365 download page.

2. Click the “Install Office” button.

3. Make sure Word is checked, then click “Install” to download the installer file.

4. Once finished, open Finder and go to Downloads.

5. Double click the Microsoft Office installer file.

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process.

Downloaded directly from Microsoft, Word will automatically activate once installed.

Purchase Microsoft 365 (if needed)

When you first open Word, you may be prompted to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription. Here’s how:

1. On the sign in screen, click the “Create one!” link to set up a new Microsoft account.

2. On the next page, choose “Buy a subscription” to purchase Microsoft 365.

3. Pick a plan – Personal for one user or Family for up to 6 users. Select your desired payment option.

4. Complete the checkout process to activate your new Microsoft 365 subscription.

5. You’ll then be redirected back to Word to sign in with your new account.

Once your purchase is complete, Word will finish activating on your Mac.

Sign in to Word

After installing Word, you’ll need to sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the full Office suite:

1. Open Word from the Applications folder.

2. When prompted, click “Sign in” and enter your Microsoft 365 credentials.

3. Click Accept to agree to the license terms.

4. Word may update briefly after you sign in. Then the application will fully launch.

Signing in links your Microsoft 365 subscription with Word so you can access all available features.

Use Word on Mac

With Word now installed and activated, you’re ready to start creating documents:

• Click the Word icon in the Dock to launch the app

• Use the ribbon at the top to access formatting tools, fonts, paragraph styles, and more

• Create bulleted or numbered lists with just a click

• Easily insert images, shapes, charts, and tables

• Collaborate in real-time with others

• Access your documents from any device by saving to the cloud

Take some time to explore all that Word has to offer. The Mac version provides the full functionality of Word with an interface optimized for macOS.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some quick fixes for common issues when installing Word:

• Slow download – Check your internet connection and try again on a faster network

• Error during install – Make sure your Mac meets the minimum requirements for Word

• Word won’t activate – Double check your Microsoft 365 subscription is valid

• Can’t sign in – Verify your email and password are correct

• Features missing – You may need to update to the latest version of Word

• Crashes on launch – Try reinstalling Word from the App Store

If problems persist, you can contact Microsoft Support for additional troubleshooting assistance.

Downloading Word on a Mac is a quick and straightforward process. Simply purchase Microsoft 365, download Word from the App Store or Microsoft’s website, install it on your Mac, and then activate with your Microsoft account. Once set up, Word provides a robust set of features to help you create professional documents right on your Mac. With cloud saving, you can even access your files on any device. Hopefully this guide has helped you get Microsoft’s top-rated word processor up and running on your Mac.