License & Subscription Issues

How to Check Microsoft Office License Type from Terminal on Mac

Emma Brown Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to identify the license type of installed Microsoft Office applications on a Mac using the Terminal.

How to Check Microsoft Office License Type from Terminal on Mac

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Checking the software license type (Microsoft 365, LTSC, or perpetual) without manually opening the 'About' dialog in each Office application.
Observed behavior: The user is looking for a streamlined, command-line method to verify the active license status for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on macOS.

Before you start

Ensure you have Terminal access on your Mac and that your Microsoft Office applications are installed in the default /Applications directory.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Terminal Commands to Check Application License Type

Run a command in the Mac Terminal to output the version and license details of your installed Office applications.

You can test individual Office applications directly from the Terminal. This method uses the version switch (--v) to request license and build information from the application package.

Note that the exact output and supported switches may vary depending on your specific Microsoft Office release.

Open Terminal on Mac

Press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search, type 'Terminal', and press Enter to launch the Terminal application.

Run the License Check Command for Word

Copy and paste the following command into Terminal, then press Enter: /Applications/Microsoft\ Word.app/Contents/MacOS/Microsoft\ Word --v

Review the Output

Look at the returned text. It may display your license type, such as 'Office365Subscription', 'Office LTSC', or a perpetual license indicator like 'Office 2019'.

Repeat for Other Office Applications

To check other apps, modify the application path in the command. For example, use /Applications/Microsoft\ Excel.app/Contents/MacOS/Microsoft\ Excel --v for Excel.

Use Terminal Commands to Check Application License Type

Variable Output Support: If the command returns an error or empty result, your specific version of Office may no longer support the '--v' switch. In such cases, an alternative method is required.

Solution 2

Refer to Microsoft's Official License Guidance

If Terminal commands fail or are unsupported, rely on official Microsoft documentation or the application UI to determine your license type.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac: A Seamless, Subscription-Free Alternative

Tired of managing complex Microsoft Office licenses, subscription types, and terminal troubleshooting? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for your Mac. Enjoy a familiar interface without the hassle of license checks.

1. Visit the WPS Website: Go to the official WPS Office website and click the download button for the free Mac version.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installer package and drag WPS Office into your Applications folder.
3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office and immediately start working with your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files—no complicated license activation required.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No complicated license types or hidden subscription fees to manage or troubleshoot.Lightweight installation that runs incredibly smoothly on macOS.Familiar, intuitive tabbed interface for seamless migration and daily productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Terminal command return 'command not found'?

This usually means the application path is incorrect. If you installed Microsoft Office in a custom directory instead of the default /Applications/ folder, you must adjust the path in the command to match your actual installation location.

What common license types might I see in the Terminal output?

You will typically see identifiers such as 'Office365Subscription' for Microsoft 365 users, 'Office LTSC' for enterprise volume licenses, or indicators for perpetual licenses like 'Office 2019' or 'Office 2021'.

Does this terminal command work for all versions of Office for Mac?

No, the output and supported switches (like --v) can vary significantly depending on the specific Office release, build version, or recent Microsoft updates. If the command fails, you may need to check the license manually via the 'About' menu.

Login & Account Issues