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How to Install Office 2016 or 2019 on macOS High Sierra 10.13
Question details
The user needs to know if Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019 is compatible with macOS High Sierra 10.13 and how to obtain a working version for their older Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra 10.13
- Scenario
- Installing or reactivating Microsoft Office applications on an older MacBook or Mac device that cannot be upgraded past macOS High Sierra 10.13.
- Observed behavior
- Current Microsoft Office installers are blocked or fail to run on macOS High Sierra 10.13, requiring users to locate and install specific older builds such as version 16.43.
Verify your exact macOS version by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting 'About This Mac' to confirm you are running High Sierra 10.13.
Download and Install Office Version 16.43
Use the official Microsoft update history repository to download version 16.43, which is the latest build that still supports macOS High Sierra.
Microsoft's current Office updates only support the three most recent macOS versions. To use Office on High Sierra, you must install a version released before macOS Big Sur.
Office version 16.43 (released in November 2020) and earlier builds are fully compatible with High Sierra. While Office 2016 reached its end of support in October 2020, you can still install it if you have the correct legacy package and a valid license or subscription.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft 'Update history for Office for Mac' webpage.
Scroll down the page to the list of release dates and locate the release from November 10, 2020, which corresponds to version 16.43.
Click the download link for the full 'Office suite' to get all applications, or choose individual apps like Word and Excel.
Locate the downloaded .pkg file in your Mac's Downloads folder, double-click it, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Launch any installed Office application, such as Word, and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account or enter your product key to activate the software.
Use WPS Office for Seamless Productivity on Older Macs
If you are struggling to find, install, or purchase legacy licenses for older versions of Microsoft Office on macOS High Sierra, WPS Office offers a modern, fully compatible alternative. It requires fewer system resources and provides powerful tools without the hassle of hunting down unsupported legacy installers.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation file.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open and edit files: Launch WPS Office, open your existing Microsoft Office files, and start editing immediately without worrying about compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I install the newest version of Microsoft Office on High Sierra?
Microsoft's policy is to only support the three most recent major versions of macOS. Because High Sierra (10.13) is older, modern Office installers will automatically block the installation to ensure software stability and security.
Is Office 2016 still supported by Microsoft?
No, Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Office 2016 for Mac on October 13, 2020. It no longer receives security updates or bug fixes, though previously installed or properly licensed older versions will continue to function.
Can I buy a new license just for Word and Excel on High Sierra?
Current standalone licenses sold by Microsoft require a newer macOS. Finding a legitimate, unused legacy license for Office 2016 or 2019 can be very difficult. Users on older operating systems often switch to free alternatives like WPS Office to avoid this issue.
How do I check which version of Office I am currently running on my Mac?
Open any Office application such as Word or Excel. Click the application's name in the top menu bar (e.g., 'Word') and select 'About Word' from the dropdown. A dialog box will appear displaying the exact version number.
