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Fix Office 2019 for Mac Says the Selection Is Locked
Question details
The user is unable to edit documents because the software indicates the selection is locked or no license was found.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Trying to edit documents after Office for Mac has automatically updated to a newer version.
- Observed behavior
- The application reports that no license was found, locks the selection to prevent editing, and prompts the user to purchase Microsoft 365 or Office 2021.
Before making changes, verify your current Office for Mac version by opening any Office app, clicking on the app name in the top menu, and selecting 'About Word' or 'About Excel'.
Downgrade to the Final Supported Update (Version 16.78.3)
Office 2019 for Mac is only supported up to version 16.78.3. Installing this specific build will restore your editing access.
Starting with version 16.79, Office for Mac requires an Office 2021 license or a Microsoft 365 subscription. By downgrading your apps to 16.78.3, your Office 2019 license will be recognized again.
Open your Mac's Applications folder, locate the Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and drag them to the Trash.
Visit the official Microsoft 'Office for Mac update history' web page and locate the download link for the 16.78.3 installation package.
Open the downloaded installer package and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the older version.
Open any installed Office app, go to Help > Check for Updates in the top menu bar, and uncheck the box for automatic updates to prevent the software from upgrading to version 16.79 again.
Upgrade Your License
If you need the latest features or your macOS version is no longer compatible with older Office builds, upgrading your license is the official resolution path.
Edit Mac Documents for Free with WPS Office
If your Office 2019 license is no longer supported on your current macOS and you want to avoid paying for a new Microsoft 365 subscription, WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible, and lightweight alternative for your document needs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for macOS.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to continue editing without locked selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office 2019 for Mac suddenly say my selection is locked?
This error occurs because Office Home and Student 2019 for Mac is not compatible with Office builds newer than version 16.78.3. If your Mac automatically updated the software past this version, it fails to recognize your 2019 license and restricts document editing.
How do I stop Office 2019 from updating automatically on my Mac?
Open any Office application like Word, click on 'Help' in the top Apple menu bar, select 'Check for Updates', and turn off the automatic update toggle in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.
Will I lose my files if I delete the newer version of Office to downgrade?
No, your documents are saved separately from the application files. Moving Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to the Trash will not delete the files you have created or saved on your Mac.
Can I still use Office 2019 on newer macOS updates like Sonoma?
You can continue to use it only if the older Office version (16.78.3) remains compatible with your specific macOS update. If a future Apple OS update breaks compatibility with this older build, you may need to upgrade to Office 2021, Microsoft 365, or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office.
