Fix Microsoft Office Display Name Not Updating After Change
Question details
The user's display name in Microsoft Office applications does not update to match the newly changed name on their Microsoft account.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user updated their personal or business Microsoft account profile name online, but the Office desktop apps continue to show the old name.
- Observed behavior
- Office applications display outdated, cached profile names instead of the new display name, even days after the account was updated on the Microsoft website.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that at least 24 hours have passed since you updated your account name online, as Microsoft servers require time to synchronize changes globally.
Force Refresh Account Sync for Personal Microsoft Accounts
Use this method if you are using a personal Microsoft account (like Outlook.com or Live.com) and the name change hasn't reflected in your Office desktop apps.
Microsoft Office apps often cache your old profile information locally. Manually signing out and back in forces the application to clear the cache and fetch the latest account data from the server.
Go to account.microsoft.com or account.live.com in your web browser and log in to verify that your new name is correctly saved in your profile.
Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word or Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' (or 'Office Account') from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Under the 'User Information' section, click the 'Sign out' link. Confirm that you want to sign out of the application.
Close all Office applications completely. Reopen Word or Excel, and click 'Sign in' at the top right corner. Enter your Microsoft account credentials to load the newly updated display name.
Update Display Name via Microsoft 365 Admin Center (Business Accounts)
For work or school accounts, display names are managed by the organization's administrator and must be updated centrally in the Admin Center.
Experience Hassle-Free Office Work with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with account synchronization delays and cached profile errors in Microsoft Office? Switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, seamless experience with no complicated account sync issues, while letting you work flawlessly with your existing files.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick, straightforward setup instructions.
- 3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office. You can immediately open and edit all your existing Microsoft Office documents without format changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my old name still showing in Microsoft Word after I changed it online?
Microsoft Office caches your account data locally on your device to improve performance. Even if you changed your name online, the desktop app will continue to display the cached old name until you force it to refresh by signing out and signing back in.
How long does it take for a Microsoft display name change to take effect?
It typically takes up to 24 hours for a display name change to propagate across all Microsoft services globally, including Office desktop applications, Outlook, and online portals.
Can I change my Microsoft 365 work account name myself?
Generally, no. For Microsoft 365 business, work, or school accounts, profile information is locked and managed by your organization's IT department. You will need to contact your administrator to update your display name in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
