How to Fix Office Apps Still Displaying an Old Name or Initials
Question details
The user updated their name and initials in Office settings, but the applications and documents still display the old account information.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Updating user profile and author information for Office applications and document metadata.
- Observed behavior
- Office screens (upper-right corner) and documents continue to show the previous account name and initials despite changes made in the app settings.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account email and password ready, as you will need to sign back into your Office applications to refresh the profile data.
Sign Out and Sign Back In to Refresh Your Account
Logging out of your Microsoft account in the Office app forces the software to fetch your updated profile information from the server.
The name displayed in the upper-right corner of Office apps is linked directly to your Microsoft account profile. Updating local app settings does not change this cloud profile.
Launch any Office application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Click on your name or profile picture in the upper-right corner of the window, or go to File > Account.
Click 'Sign out' and confirm the prompt to temporarily remove the account connection from the Office app.
Restart the application, click 'Sign in' in the upper-right corner, and enter your Microsoft account credentials. The updated name and initials should now appear.
Update Your Microsoft Account Display Name Online
If your name hasn't been changed on the actual Microsoft account level, it will continue to revert to the old name in your apps.
Update Local Document Properties and Tracked Changes
Use this method to enforce the local author name attached to document properties and comments, overriding the cloud account name.
Switch to WPS Office for a Simpler Document Experience
Dealing with Microsoft account synchronization issues can be frustrating. WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative. You can manage document properties locally without forced cloud account syncs, all while maintaining perfect compatibility with your existing files.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Microsoft Formats: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files to start editing immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't changing my name in File Options update the top-right account indicator?
The name in the upper-right corner is pulled directly from your connected Microsoft Account online profile. The settings under File > Options only dictate local document properties, like the author metadata and the name used for tracked changes.
How long does it take for a Microsoft account name change to reflect in Office apps?
Usually, the change is instant once you sign out and sign back into the Office app. However, server-side propagation for Microsoft accounts can sometimes take up to 24 hours to sync across all connected services and devices.
How do I change the name associated with my Office business account?
For corporate, business, or school Microsoft 365 accounts, display names are managed centrally by the organization's IT department. You will need to contact your network administrator to have them update your profile in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
