How to Download and Install Microsoft Word on a Mac

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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.

how to download word on mac

Parallels Desktop for Mac

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  • Use 200,000+ Windows apps
  • Access the full range of Microsoft Office 365 features
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  • Switch between macOS and Windows effortlessly

Why choose Parallels Desktop?

Yes, you can use Microsoft Office 365 on a Mac with Parallels Desktop if you own or purchase the necessary license keys.

You will get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the rest of the Microsoft Office 365 suite on your Mac if you own or purchase the necessary license keys.

Yes, you can download and use the desktop version of Microsoft Office on your Mac with Parallels Desktop. Just follow these steps:

  • Open your Windows 11 virtual machine in Parallels Desktop.
  • Open a web browser inside the Windows 11 virtual machine and navigate to the Microsoft Office website.
  • Sign in with your Microsoft account that has an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
  • Once signed in, click on the “Install Office” button.
  • Select “Other install options” from the drop-down menu and then click on “Download” under the “Office for Windows” section.
  • Choose the desired version of Office to download and click on “Download”.
  • Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and double-click to begin the installation process.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Once the installation is complete, you are ready to use the desktop version of Microsoft Office on your Windows 11 Parallels virtual machine. Note that you may need to activate the software using your Microsoft account credentials for full access to all the features.

Yes, you can install Microsoft Office 365 on your Windows virtual machine and the macOS side of your Mac with Parallels Desktop.

Parallels Desktop offers exclusive discounts for students enrolled in a qualified institution or professional educators employed at an eligible institution. Educational discounts can save users up to 50%. Start by verifying your student discount eligibility.

How To Get Microsoft Word For Mac and Use It For Free

FAQ

Can I just buy Word for my Mac?

Yes. You can buy standalone versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Mac or PC. Go to the Microsoft Store and search for the app you want. You can also get a one-time purchase or a subscription version of Visio or Project, available for PCs only.

Why can I not download Word on my Mac?

Check to make sure your internet is working on the Mac you’re trying to install on. Pause any other downloads you may have active. If you’ve started a download and it’s stuck, delete the download file by dragging it to Trash. Empty the Trash.

How do I download Microsoft Word on my Mac?

We’ll show you two simple options to install Microsoft Word on your Mac—by using the App Store or by downloading from Microsoft’s website. Go to https://www.office.com in a web browser. If you’re not already signed in with your Microsoft account, click the Sign in link at the top-right corner to sign in now.

How much does Microsoft Word cost for Mac?

The 16.67 version of Microsoft Word for Mac is provided as a free download on our software library. This Mac download was scanned by our antivirus and was rated as clean. This free Mac app was originally developed by Microsoft. The size of the latest setup package available for download is 1.1 GB. The program is categorized as Productivity Tools.

What is the latest version of Microsoft Word for Mac?

Microsoft Word is available on Windows and Mac. You can also download Microsoft Word on your mobile device like an Android phone/tablet, or iPhone/iPad. In this post, we will introduce Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 free download for Windows 10 32/64 bit, Windows 11, Mac, Android, iPhone, and iPad. The latest version is Word 2021.

What are the system requirements for Microsoft Word for Mac?

Microsoft Word for Mac is available both as part of the Microsoft Office 365 package and as a standalone app. Both options will require you to purchase an Office 365 subscription. Microsoft Word for Mac is compatible with Mac OS 10.12 and above.

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