Office for Mac Issues

Fix Office for Mac Unable to Add OneDrive for Business Accounts

Olivia Miller Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to add secondary OneDrive for Business or University accounts in Office for Mac through the Manage Storage Accounts feature.

How to Fix Office for Mac Unable to Add OneDrive for Business Accounts

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Adding a secondary OneDrive for Business or SharePoint account within Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint to open and autosave files.
Observed behavior: The sign-in process drops back to the Open window without prompting for a password, and the new account is not added. The accounts function normally in the standalone OneDrive desktop app and online.

Before you start

Verify that your primary and secondary OneDrive for Business accounts are functioning correctly by logging into them via a web browser and the standalone OneDrive desktop app to ensure there are no account-level restrictions.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS and Office, then Re-sign In

Outdated software can cause authentication glitches; updating both your OS and Office suite often resolves sign-in loops.

A common cause of the missing password prompt is an incompatibility between the current macOS version and the Microsoft 365 authentication module.

Update macOS

Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings > General > Software Update, and install any pending macOS updates.

Update Microsoft 365

Open Word or Excel, click Help in the top menu bar, and select Check for Updates to ensure you are on the latest version.

Sign out and restart

Sign out of your primary account in all Office applications, close the apps, and restart your Mac.

Re-add the account

Open an Office app, navigate to File > Open > Online Locations > Manage Storage Accounts, and attempt to add the OneDrive for Business account again.

Testing Account Accessibility: Before trying to sign in again via Office apps, open OneDrive for the web to ensure your account isn't locked or requiring a password reset.

Solution 2

Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft 365

If updating does not work, corrupted installation files or cached credentials might be blocking the login prompt.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud Document Management on Mac

If Microsoft Office for Mac continues to block your OneDrive for Business or SharePoint accounts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with robust cloud integration for seamless file editing and saving.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office for Mac installer from the official website and complete the quick installation process.
2. Open Office Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly with complete formatting preservation.
3. Connect Cloud Storage: Use WPS Office's built-in cloud features or seamlessly edit files synced to your Mac via your preferred cloud drive client.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly and efficiently on all macOS devices.Built-in cloud storage integration, allowing you to easily access, save, and sync files across platforms.Familiar user interface ensuring zero learning curve when migrating from MS Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office for Mac not ask for a password when adding an account?

This usually happens due to a credential caching glitch or an outdated Office version. The application fails to trigger the modern authentication popup window, returning you straight to the Open file screen.

Can I still access my OneDrive files if the Office app won't add the account?

Yes. Even if the Office application fails to add the account internally, you can use the standalone OneDrive desktop app for Mac to sync your files locally. You can then open those synced files directly from Finder into Word or Excel.

What should I do if Autosave doesn't work for SharePoint files on my Mac?

If Autosave fails specifically for SharePoint files on a single Mac device (e.g., while working fine on other computers), ensure your Office suite is fully updated. If the issue persists after a clean reinstall, collect your exact Office version (such as 16.70) and contact Microsoft Support for advanced diagnostic help.

Office App Problems