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How to Run Word and Excel on macOS Catalina
Question details
The user needs to use Microsoft Word and Excel on an older MacBook Pro running macOS Catalina, but the latest Office for Mac versions no longer support this operating system.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina 10.15.7
- Scenario
- Trying to install and run standard office software on an older Mac without purchasing new hardware.
- Observed behavior
- The latest Microsoft Office for Mac installers fail to run because they require a newer macOS version than Catalina.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and back up your existing documents. Verify your Microsoft Office license details before proceeding with any uninstallations.
Install Office Version 16.66 for macOS Catalina
Uninstall the current incompatible version and download the last supported Office build for macOS Catalina (version 16.66).
Since the newest Office for Mac versions drop support for macOS Catalina, you must completely remove any newly installed incompatible packages and manually install the October 2022 release (version 16.66), which is the final version compatible with Catalina.
Open Finder, go to your Applications folder, and move Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office apps to the Trash to completely remove the incompatible version.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft 'Update history for Office for Mac' support page.
Scroll through the history table to locate the release links for October 2022 (version 16.66), which is the last build that officially supports macOS Catalina. Download the Office suite installer package (.pkg).
Run the downloaded .pkg file, follow the on-screen installation prompts, and sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the software.
Use WPS Office on Older MacBooks
If finding and installing older versions of Microsoft Office is too cumbersome, WPS Office is a fantastic, lightweight alternative. It runs smoothly on older MacBooks, providing essential word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tools without forcing hardware upgrades.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of the software.
- 2. Install on your Mac: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word or Excel documents to continue your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update Microsoft Office on macOS Catalina?
No, Microsoft stopped providing updates for macOS Catalina. Version 16.66 (October 2022) is the final officially supported build for this operating system.
Is it safe to use older versions of Microsoft Office?
While fully functional for creating and editing documents, older builds do not receive the latest security patches. It is recommended to use them cautiously and avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
Will my existing Word and Excel files work on version 16.66?
Yes, version 16.66 is fully capable of opening, editing, and saving standard .docx and .xlsx files created in both newer and older versions of Microsoft Office.
What is the minimum macOS required for the latest Office versions?
Microsoft typically supports only the three most recent major versions of macOS. As Apple releases new macOS versions, older ones like Catalina fall out of the support window.
