Fix Office Apps Not Opening on Mac Managed by Kandji (ADAL4.framework)
Question details
Users are unable to open Microsoft 365 applications on Kandji-managed Macs due to a missing framework dependency error after deployment.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Deploying the combined Microsoft Office installation package to Mac endpoints using Kandji MDM.
- Observed behavior
- The installation reports as successful, but launching any Office application triggers a crash or an error message stating that ADAL4.framework cannot be loaded.
Ensure you have administrator privileges in your Kandji MDM portal and access to a test Mac device. Download the latest official Microsoft 365 installer package directly from the Microsoft enterprise portal for testing.
Deploy Individual Office Application Packages
Bypass the shared framework deployment bug in the combined suite installer by deploying Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as individual packages.
When Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms like Kandji deploy the combined Microsoft 365 suite package, permission or unpacking issues can occasionally cause shared dependencies like ADAL4.framework to fail installation. Installing the applications separately often bypasses this specific error.
Log into the Microsoft enterprise deployment portal and download the standalone installer packages for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint instead of the combined suite.
Navigate to your Kandji dashboard, go to Library, and click 'Add New'. Select 'Custom App' and upload the individual Microsoft application packages.
Assign these new individual custom apps to your target Mac blueprints. Ensure the old combined package is removed from the blueprint to prevent conflicts.
On a target Mac, allow Kandji to sync and install the individual apps. Launch Word or Excel to verify that the ADAL4.framework error no longer appears.
Test the Official Installer Outside of Kandji
Verify whether the issue lies with the specific Microsoft package version or the MDM deployment process itself.
Collect Crash Logs and Contact Support
Gather essential macOS diagnostic logs to escalate the deployment issue to Kandji or Microsoft support.
Deploy WPS Office on Mac as a Seamless Alternative
If MDM deployment of Microsoft 365 continues to cause framework errors and disrupt productivity, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, unified office suite that is incredibly easy to deploy across macOS environments without complex dependency or framework issues.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the latest macOS installer package.
- 2. Deploy via MDM or Install Manually: Upload the lightweight WPS Office package to Kandji or install it manually on your Mac. The unified architecture prevents missing framework errors.
- 3. Open and Edit Seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and immediately begin opening, editing, and saving your existing Microsoft Office documents with complete format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ADAL4.framework in Microsoft Office?
ADAL4.framework stands for Active Directory Authentication Library. It is a critical component used by Microsoft Office applications on Mac to securely handle user sign-in and enterprise authentication with Microsoft 365 services.
Why does the combined Office package fail in Kandji while separate apps work?
Combined suite installers are extremely large and contain shared dependencies. During MDM deployment, background unpacking or permission restrictions can sometimes cause shared components like ADAL4.framework to be skipped or improperly linked. Individual app packages handle their own dependencies separately, often bypassing this deployment bug.
Can I manually copy the missing ADAL4.framework file from another Mac?
No, manually copying framework files is strongly discouraged. macOS utilizes strict Gatekeeper and code-signing security protocols. Manually pasting a framework into the application bundle will invalidate the app's signature, causing macOS to block the app entirely.
