How to Install Only Excel and Access in Office 2019 Offline Deployment
Question details
The user wants to deploy Office 2019 offline but only install Excel and Access, preventing the installation of unwanted applications like Word and PowerPoint.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows Server
- Scenario
- Performing an offline deployment of Office 2019 volume-license on a server using an XML configuration file.
- Observed behavior
- The current XML configuration fails to apply correctly, resulting in the installation of the complete Office suite instead of just the requested applications.
Ensure you have downloaded the latest version of the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) and have administrative privileges on the target Windows Server or PC.
Use the Office Customization Tool to Generate an Accurate XML
The easiest way to avoid XML syntax errors is to use Microsoft's web-based Office Customization Tool to generate the exclusion list for your offline deployment.
The Office Deployment Tool relies on strict XML syntax. Manually typing the configuration often leads to errors where the XML is ignored, causing the full Office suite to install. Using the official web tool ensures correct formatting and case sensitivity.
Open a web browser and go to the Microsoft Office Customization Tool website (config.office.com).
Select your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and choose 'Office Professional Plus 2019 - Volume License' under the Products dropdown menu.
Scroll to the 'Apps' section. Toggle off Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, OneDrive, Skype, Lync, and Groove. Ensure that only Excel and Access remain toggled on.
Click 'Export' at the top right, agree to the terms, and download the file. Rename it to 'configuration.xml' and place it in the same folder as your ODT 'setup.exe'.
Open Command Prompt as an Administrator, use the 'cd' command to navigate to your ODT folder, and execute the command: 'setup.exe /configure configuration.xml'.
Manually Edit the Configuration.xml File
If you prefer to manually write or fix your existing configuration, you must explicitly declare the ExcludeApp tags for every unwanted program.
Avoid Complex Deployments with WPS Office
If configuring XML files for Microsoft Office deployment is taking up too much time, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, all-in-one suite that is easy to install without complicated deployment tools, offering excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free, standalone installation package.
- 2. Install with One Click: Run the lightweight installer. WPS Office installs as an all-in-one application natively, requiring no XML configuration to exclude bloatware.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets to immediately open, edit, and save your Excel (.xlsx) files with complete layout preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Office Deployment Tool still install Word when I excluded it in the XML?
This usually happens if there is a syntax error in your XML file or if the application ID is not capitalized correctly. For example, using 'word' instead of 'Word' will cause the exclusion rule to fail.
Can I use the Office Customization Tool to install only Excel in Microsoft 365?
Yes, the Office Deployment Tool works identically for Microsoft 365. You just need to change the Product ID in your XML configuration to match your Microsoft 365 subscription plan (e.g., O365ProPlusRetail) instead of Office 2019.
Do I need an internet connection to run setup.exe /configure?
If you specify a valid local 'SourcePath' in your XML file and have already downloaded the installation files using 'setup.exe /download', you do not need an active internet connection to execute the configure phase.
What happens if I leave out the SourcePath attribute in the configuration file?
If the SourcePath is omitted, the Office Deployment Tool will automatically look for the installation files in the folder where setup.exe is located. If it cannot find them locally, it will attempt to download them directly from the Microsoft Content Delivery Network.
