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Fix Microsoft 365 Family Not Activating and Office Read-Only on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to activate their Microsoft 365 Family subscription on a Mac, leaving the Office applications in a restricted state.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to use Microsoft Office applications after accepting an invitation to join a Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
- Observed behavior
- Office applications remain in read-only mode and display a locked-selection message because an incorrect account or old activation license is still stored on the device.
Ensure you have the correct Microsoft account email address and password that was specifically used to accept the Microsoft 365 Family invitation. It is also recommended to save any open work before proceeding, as all Office applications will need to be closed.
Use the Office License Removal Tool
Clear out any conflicting or outdated Microsoft Office activation files hidden on your Mac so you can perform a fresh sign-in with your active Family subscription.
Often, Macs hold onto previous Office licenses or different Microsoft accounts, preventing a newly shared Microsoft 365 Family plan from activating correctly. Microsoft provides a dedicated utility to securely wipe these old license files without affecting your personal documents.
Right-click the icons for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook in your Mac's Dock and select 'Quit'. Alternatively, you can press Command + Q while in the application.
Download the official Microsoft Office License Removal Tool from the Microsoft support website. Double-click the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts to remove the existing licenses.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart' to ensure all background licensing services are fully reset.
Launch Microsoft Word. On the 'What's New' window, click 'Get Started' and then select 'Sign In'. Enter the credentials for the Microsoft account that is linked to the Microsoft 365 Family subscription to complete the activation.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Productivity Experience
If you are tired of dealing with complex subscription activations, locked selections, and read-only errors, WPS Office provides a powerful, free, and lightweight alternative that works seamlessly on your Mac.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for the Mac version.
- 2. Install on your Mac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start editing: Launch WPS Office, open any existing Microsoft Office file, and start editing right away without read-only restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will running the Office License Removal Tool delete my Word and Excel documents?
No, the Office License Removal Tool only targets hidden system files that store activation and licensing data. Your personal documents, templates, and emails will remain completely untouched and safe on your hard drive.
How do I verify if my Microsoft account has access to the Family subscription?
You can check your status by signing in to the Microsoft account portal online. Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' tab; if you accepted the invitation correctly, 'Microsoft 365 Family' will be listed as an active service under your account.
Why does Office say 'Selection is locked' even after I sign in?
The 'Selection is locked' error indicates that Office still does not recognize an active, valid license. This frequently happens if the app auto-signs you into a different Microsoft account (like a school or work account) instead of the one associated with your Family subscription. Running the removal tool and signing in strictly with the Family-linked account resolves this.
