Office for Mac Issues

How to Remove the Grant Access Prompt When Opening Office Files on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to stop macOS from repeatedly asking for file access permissions when attempting to open documents in Microsoft 365.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening Office files after installing or updating Microsoft 365 on a Mac.
Observed behavior: macOS repeatedly displays a "Grant Access" prompt, requiring the user to manually grant permission for every single file opened in an Office application.

Before you start

Verify that your Mac operating system and Microsoft Office applications are updated to the latest versions to rule out any known software compatibility bugs.

Solution 1Recommended

Move Office Files to the Native macOS Documents Folder

Relocating your files to standard macOS directories ensures Office has native permissions to read and write without triggering security prompts.

The "Grant Access" prompt is a security feature generated by Apple's macOS sandboxing rules, not by Microsoft Office. It typically occurs when Office attempts to open files stored outside standard user directories, such as on external drives, cloud sync folders, or custom root directories.

Locate affected files

Open Finder and navigate to the location of the Office files that are triggering the permission prompts.

Move to Documents

Select the files or folders, and move them directly into your Mac's native 'Documents' folder.

Restart your Mac

Click the Apple menu and select 'Restart' to clear any cached permission states within macOS.

Open via the application menu

Launch your Office application (e.g., Word or Excel). Instead of double-clicking the file in Finder, click 'File' > 'Open' from the top menu bar to access your documents.

External Storage Permissions: If you must keep files on an external drive or server, you can try granting Full Disk Access to your Office apps by navigating to Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience

If Microsoft Office continues to trigger frustrating permission prompts or sandboxing issues on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It's a lightweight, easy-to-use alternative that integrates perfectly with macOS security frameworks without compromising on functionality.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open existing files easily: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without repetitive permission dialogues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) ensuring seamless migration.Lightweight macOS installation that avoids complex sandboxing and permission loops.Native support for both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) chips.All-in-one tabbed interface to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs efficiently.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does macOS keep asking for permission to open Word or Excel files?

This is caused by macOS sandboxing security protocols. When an application tries to access files outside of its strictly approved directories, macOS prompts you to explicitly grant access to protect your privacy and system data.

Can I grant access to an entire folder instead of individual files?

Yes. When the Grant Access dialog appears, you can navigate to the parent folder containing your documents, select it, and grant access to the entire folder. Office should then remember this permission for all files stored within that directory.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the Grant Access prompt?

Reinstalling the software rarely resolves this issue because the prompt is governed by macOS system permissions, not the Office installation files. Relocating your documents to approved folders or adjusting Mac Privacy & Security settings is the correct solution.

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