File Cannot Open

How to Access Old Word and Excel Files After Renewing Microsoft 365

Adam Davis Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to open previously saved Word and Excel documents after renewing their Microsoft 365 subscription or migrating data to a new Mac.

How to Access Old Word and Excel Files After Renewing Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Trying to open existing local or OneDrive documents after a subscription renewal or transferring files to a newly purchased Mac.
Observed behavior: The user can see the old file icons, but clicking on them triggers an error message stating the files were deleted or cannot be accessed.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed into your Mac with the correct user profile and verify that your internet connection is active so cloud files can synchronize.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Microsoft Account and OneDrive Synchronization

Use this solution if your files were previously saved to the cloud, as renewing your subscription might require you to sign back into OneDrive.

Renewing your Microsoft 365 subscription does not delete your local files. However, if your documents were stored in OneDrive, you may have been signed out during the renewal or Mac migration process, resulting in inaccessible placeholder files.

Open OneDrive

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Mac menu bar at the top of your screen.

Sign In

If prompted, sign in using the exact Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 subscription.

Check Sync Status

Wait for the application to say 'Your files are synced'. Navigate to your OneDrive folder in Finder and double-click the Word or Excel file to open it.

Verify Microsoft Account and OneDrive Synchronization

Account Verification: Using a different Microsoft account than the one used to initially save the files will prevent you from accessing them.

Solution 2

Manually Transfer Files from the Old Mac or External Drive

If the macOS Migration Assistant did not complete successfully, manually moving the files will restore access.

Solution 3

Check File Permissions in macOS Settings

macOS requires explicit permission for apps to access folders. Ensuring Microsoft Office has these permissions can resolve access errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Access Old Word and Excel Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

Avoid subscription renewal headaches and migration issues. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible Office alternative for Mac that lets you open, edit, and save all your old Microsoft Word and Excel files effortlessly.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer for Mac from the official website and move it to your Applications folder.
2. Open WPS Office: Launch the application and select 'Open' from the home screen.
3. Access Old Files: Navigate to the folder containing your old Word or Excel documents and open them directly without worrying about Microsoft account restrictions.

100% compatible with old and new Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) file formatsCompletely free to use with no forced subscription renewals blocking file accessLightweight application that runs smoothly on all recent macOS versionsFamiliar user interface requires zero learning curve for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does renewing Microsoft 365 delete my local files?

No. Renewing your Microsoft 365 subscription only extends your software license. It does not move, touch, or delete any locally stored Word or Excel files on your hard drive.

Why does my Mac say my Word files are deleted when I can see the icons?

This usually occurs if the file icon is a macOS alias (shortcut) or a OneDrive placeholder, but the actual file wasn't fully downloaded or was moved during the migration process. Re-syncing OneDrive or copying the original file usually fixes this.

How do I check my Microsoft Office version on a Mac?

Open your Mac's Applications folder, right-click on the specific application (such as Microsoft Word or Excel), and select 'Get Info'. The version number will be listed in the pop-up window.

Can I open my old Microsoft 365 files if my subscription expires?

Yes. Even if your subscription expires, you still own your local files. You can open and view them in read-only mode using Office, or you can edit them using a free alternative like WPS Office.

Document & File Issues