Office Compatibility Issues

How to Run Microsoft 365 Word and Excel on a Chromebook

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if they can use Microsoft 365 applications, specifically Word and Excel, on a Chromebook device.

How to Run Microsoft 365 Word and Excel on a Chromebook

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Chrome OS
Scenario: Attempting to perform office productivity tasks and edit documents using Microsoft Office on a Chromebook.
Observed behavior: Users find that they cannot install full desktop versions of Microsoft Word and Excel on Chrome OS, requiring clarity on how to access their documents.

Before you start

Ensure your Chromebook is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and that you have your Microsoft account credentials ready, as you will need them to access the web-based applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Access Microsoft 365 Web Applications via Browser

Since Windows and Mac desktop applications are incompatible with Chrome OS, the recommended method is to use Microsoft 365 for the web.

Chromebooks primarily rely on web-based applications. Microsoft provides web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that allow you to create, view, and edit files directly from your browser.

While these browser versions cover most basic and intermediate tasks, they have fewer features than the full desktop applications available on Windows or Mac. Advanced formatting, macros, and specific add-ins may be unavailable.

Open Google Chrome

Launch the Google Chrome browser from your Chromebook's app launcher or shelf.

Go to Office.com

Type www.office.com into the address bar and press Enter. Click the 'Sign in' button and enter the credentials for your Microsoft account, Microsoft 365 personal, or work/school account.

Launch Word or Excel

Once logged in, look at the app launcher sidebar on the left side of the screen. Click on the Word or Excel icon to open the web app.

Create or Edit a Document

Click on 'New blank document' or 'New blank workbook' to start from scratch. To open an existing file, drag and drop it into the browser window or use the 'Upload and open' button.

Access Microsoft 365 Web Applications via Browser

Feature Limitations: Because you are using the web version, certain advanced features like VBA macros in Excel or complex Mail Merge in Word are not supported.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for a Full Offline Experience on Chromebooks

If you need more powerful desktop-class features or the ability to work offline, WPS Office is an excellent alternative. You can easily install the WPS Office Android app from the Google Play Store on your Chromebook. It provides a lightweight, familiar interface and high compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats without requiring an expensive subscription.

1. Open the Google Play Store: Click the launcher icon on your Chromebook and open the Google Play Store app.
2. Install WPS Office: Search for 'WPS Office', click on the official app, and select 'Install'.
3. Work Offline Seamlessly: Open WPS Office from your app drawer to seamlessly create, edit, and save your Word and Excel documents even without an internet connection.

Free and lightweight office suite optimized for diverse devicesFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsRobust offline editing capabilities, unlike Microsoft 365 for the webFamiliar tabbed interface requiring almost no learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install the Microsoft Office Android app on my Chromebook?

No. In 2021, Microsoft discontinued support for its official Office Android apps on Chrome OS. Users are now directed to use the web versions at Office.com for the best experience on a Chromebook.

Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Word and Excel on a Chromebook?

You can use the basic web versions of Word and Excel for free by signing in with a free Microsoft account. However, accessing premium templates, advanced features, and increased OneDrive storage requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

Can I edit Microsoft 365 files offline on a Chromebook?

The Microsoft 365 web apps require an active internet connection. To edit Office formats offline on a Chromebook, you must use alternative software like WPS Office (via the Play Store) or enable offline syncing through Google Drive.

Will my formatting change when using Microsoft 365 for the web?

Standard text formatting, basic charts, and simple layouts will remain perfectly intact. However, if your document includes complex layouts, custom fonts not available on the web, or VBA macros, they may not display or function correctly in the browser.

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