Microsoft Account Errors

How to Change the Display Name in Microsoft Office Apps

Muhammad Talha Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to change or update the display name that appears in the upper-right corner of Microsoft Office applications.

How to Change Your Display Name in Microsoft Office Apps

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: After installing Office or setting up an account, the application displays a different person's name or an unwanted alias.
Observed behavior: An incorrect or outdated name is displayed in the upper-right corner of Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office apps.

Before you start

Ensure you have the email and password for the Microsoft account currently signed into your Office applications, and a stable internet connection to sync the profile changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Your Name in the Microsoft Account Profile

Change your display name directly from the Microsoft Account management portal and refresh your local Office apps.

The name displayed in Microsoft Office applications is directly controlled by the Microsoft account signed into the software. To change this display name, you must update the core account profile online.

Open Your Info settings

Open a web browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/profile. Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Office apps.

Edit the display name

Under the 'Your Info' section, click on 'Edit Name' located next to your current Full Name.

Save the new name

Enter your desired real name or alias, complete any required verification, and click 'Save'.

Refresh Office apps

Open any Office app like Word, click on your profile name in the upper-right corner, and select 'Sign out'. Once signed out, click 'Sign in' and enter your credentials again to force the application to download your new display name.

Synchronization Complete: Once signed back in, your updated real name or alias should immediately appear in the upper-right corner of all Office applications.

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1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a different person's name showing in my Word app?

If you purchased a secondhand PC, share an Office subscription with a family member, or previously signed in with someone else's email, their Microsoft account name will appear. You must sign out of their account and sign in with your own.

Can I use an alias instead of my real name in Microsoft Office?

Yes. Office applications will display whatever is set as the 'Full Name' in your Microsoft account profile. You can edit this online profile to show any preferred nickname or alias instead of your legal name.

I changed my name online, but Office still shows the old one. How do I fix this?

Desktop applications sometimes fail to sync account changes immediately. You can force a refresh by signing out of the Office app, restarting the application, and signing back in with your credentials.

Login & Account Issues