License & Subscription Issues

How to Update Microsoft Office License to Enable Editing in Word and Excel

WPS Editor Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to update or verify their Microsoft Office license to restore editing capabilities in Word and Excel.

How to Update Your Office License to Edit Word and Excel Files

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Word and Excel are opening files in read-only mode because the software is not activated or lacks proper licensing.
Observed behavior: Editing is disabled, and documents open in read-only mode due to an inactive or incorrectly assigned Office license.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office subscription before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Check and Update Your Office Activation Status

Verify your Office version and activate your license by signing in with your registered Microsoft account to restore editing rights.

When your Office subscription expires or if you are signed out, Office applications enter reduced functionality mode. Reactivating with the correct account will instantly restore your ability to edit and create files.

Open Account Settings

Launch Word or Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.

Review Product Information

Check the 'Product Information' section on the right side to view your product name, subscription status, and activation state.

Sign In to Activate

If the product is inactive or editing is disabled, click 'Sign In' and enter the email address and password associated with your Microsoft Office license.

Contact Support (If Needed)

If the subscription is active but the issue persists, take a screenshot of any error messages and the Account page, then provide them to Microsoft Support.

Check and Update Your Office Activation Status

Verify Online: You can double-check your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com/services to ensure your subscription has not expired.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Edit Word and Excel Files for Free

If your Microsoft Office license has expired or you are experiencing activation issues, you can seamlessly continue your work with WPS Office. It provides powerful tools to create, edit, and save Word documents and Excel spreadsheets without requiring a paid subscription.

1. Download and Install: Go to the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the quick setup process.
2. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and drag your existing Word (.docx) or Excel (.xlsx) files directly into the workspace.
3. Start Editing: Use the familiar ribbon interface to edit, format, and save your documents without any license restrictions or read-only modes.

Completely free to use for basic document and spreadsheet editing.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.All-in-one suite allowing you to manage Word, Excel, and PDF files in a single window.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Word documents suddenly opening in read-only mode?

This typically happens if your Microsoft Office subscription has expired, you are not signed in, or the account logged in does not have editing permissions assigned to its license.

How can I check which version of Office I am using?

Open any Office application like Word or Excel, click on 'File', then select 'Account'. Your Office version and build number will be listed clearly under the 'Product Information' section.

What should I do if I have multiple Microsoft accounts?

Ensure you are signed into Office with the specific Microsoft account that was used to purchase or register your active Office 365 subscription or perpetual license.

Can I still view my files if my Office license expires?

Yes, if your license expires, Office applications will enter a reduced functionality mode. You can still open, view, and print your files, but you will not be able to edit them or create new ones.

Login & Account Issues