How to Open Office 365 Excel Files in Office 2016 on an Older Mac
Question details
The user needs a way to open and edit an Excel workbook created in Microsoft 365 using Office 2016 on an older Mac running macOS High Sierra.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra
- Scenario
- Accessing newer Office 365 spreadsheet files on legacy Mac environments where upgrading the OS or Office suite is not possible.
- Observed behavior
- Compatibility limitations restrict the seamless opening or editing of newer Microsoft 365 Excel files within the local Office 2016 desktop application.
Check your internet connection if you plan to use browser-based solutions, and verify if the spreadsheet relies on modern Office 365 functions like XLOOKUP which may not render in older versions.
Use Microsoft Excel for the Web via OneDrive
This is the most reliable method to access modern features without needing to upgrade your Mac's operating system or local software.
Microsoft's free web version of Excel runs directly in your browser and supports the vast majority of modern Microsoft 365 features, bypassing the limitations of your local Office 2016 installation.
Open your preferred web browser on your Mac and navigate to OneDrive.com.
Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials. Click the 'Upload' button at the top of the page, select 'Files', and choose the Office 365 Excel workbook from your Mac.
Once the upload is complete, click on the file name within OneDrive. It will automatically open in Excel for the Web, allowing you to edit it with full compatibility.
Download and Open a Compatible Copy in Office 2016
Use this method if you strictly require offline desktop editing, but be prepared for potential feature degradation.
Use WPS Office to Open Newer Excel Files on Older Macs
If Office 2016 on your macOS High Sierra struggles with modern Microsoft 365 files, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. It handles modern .xlsx formats seamlessly without requiring the latest macOS update.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package for Mac.
- 2. Install on Your Mac: Open the downloaded installer and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open the File: Launch WPS Office, click on 'Open', and select your Office 365 Excel file to begin editing instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade my Office 2016 to Microsoft 365 on macOS High Sierra?
No. Microsoft 365 requires a newer version of macOS to install and run. macOS High Sierra is no longer supported by the latest Microsoft 365 updates.
Why do some formulas show as '#NAME?' errors in Office 2016?
Office 365 introduced several new functions, such as XLOOKUP, FILTER, and UNIQUE, which did not exist in Office 2016. Because the older software cannot recognize these functions, it displays a '#NAME?' error.
Is it safe to save the Office 365 file in Office 2016?
You can save the file, but proceed with caution. Any newer features, dynamic arrays, or modern formatting specific to Office 365 may be permanently converted to static values or stripped out when saving from the older version.
