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Fix Word for Mac Repeatedly Asking to Sign In for Online Documents
Question details
Word for Mac continuously prompts for an email address or sign-in when attempting to open and edit shared online documents.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Sonoma
- Scenario
- Opening and editing shared online documents after updating to macOS Sonoma.
- Observed behavior
- The application repeatedly requests an email address and sign-in for online files, despite local files opening normally and browser-based editing functioning without issue.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account email and password handy, as you will need to sign back in after clearing your saved credentials. Save and close all active documents before starting.
Clear Keychain Credentials and Reset Office License
Removing corrupted login tokens from the Mac Keychain and resetting the Office license state resolves most continuous authentication loops.
macOS updates can sometimes cause Microsoft Office authentication tokens saved in the Keychain to become desynchronized or corrupted. Clearing these outdated entries forces the application to generate fresh, working credentials.
Open Microsoft Word, sign out of your user account from the profile menu, and completely quit all Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Open Finder, go to Applications > Utilities, and launch Keychain Access. Search for 'Office' and delete related password entries. Also search for and delete any 'ADAL' entries, which are used for authentication.
Download and run the official Microsoft Office license-removal tool. Follow the on-screen prompts to clear the activation state from your Mac.
Restart your Mac to ensure all changes take effect. Open Microsoft Word and sign in again with your Microsoft email and password to reactivate your license.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to have frustrating authentication loops on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for opening, editing, and sharing documents on your Mac without complicated license and login issues.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx files to start editing immediately without login hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word for Mac ask me to sign in every time I open an online file?
This usually occurs when the cached login credentials (tokens) in your Mac's Keychain become corrupted or out of sync, a common issue following major operating system updates like macOS Sonoma.
What are ADAL entries in Mac Keychain?
ADAL stands for Active Directory Authentication Library. These entries are digital tokens used by Microsoft Office to securely authenticate your account. Deleting them forces Office to require a fresh login and generate new tokens.
Will removing the Office license delete my saved documents?
No. The license removal tool only clears the activation data and sign-in state from the application's hidden system folders. Your personal documents, whether saved locally or in OneDrive, remain perfectly safe.
Can I edit my Word documents in the browser as a workaround?
Yes. As a temporary workaround, you can log in to Office for the Web to open and edit your shared documents in Safari or Chrome without triggering the desktop app's repeated sign-in prompt.
