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How to Use Microsoft Word on a 2015 iMac Running macOS Monterey
Question details
The user needs to reinstall a compatible version of Microsoft Word on an older iMac running macOS Monterey, while also addressing document corruption and export compatibility concerns with Apple Pages.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey (macOS 12) / 2015 iMac
- Scenario
- Attempting to reinstall Microsoft Word after document margins and formatting became corrupted, but facing OS compatibility restrictions with current Office installers.
- Observed behavior
- The newest versions of Microsoft Word are incompatible with macOS Monterey. Previously saved documents suffer from formatting corruption, and relying on Apple Pages raises concerns about proper export compatibility to Word.
Before attempting to install older software builds, ensure you have created a backup copy of your corrupted Word documents to prevent any accidental data loss.
Download Microsoft 365 Version 16.88 for macOS Monterey
Install the August 2024 release of Microsoft 365, which is the final officially supported build for macOS Monterey.
Microsoft periodically drops support for older macOS versions. For macOS 12 (Monterey), the final compatible version of Microsoft Word and the Office suite is 16.88. Installing this specific legacy version allows you to continue using Word on your 2015 iMac.
Navigate to the official Microsoft website and search for the 'Update history for Office for Mac' documentation page.
Scroll through the release list to find the August 13, 2024 update (Version 16.88). You can choose to download the standalone Word package or the entire Office suite.
Run the downloaded .pkg file on your Mac, follow the standard installation prompts, and sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the software.
To prevent Microsoft AutoUpdate from attempting to install newer, incompatible versions, open Word, go to Help > Check for Updates, and disable the automatic update setting.
Use Apple Pages and Export as DOCX
If you prefer not to use unsupported older software, you can safely use built-in Apple Pages by utilizing specific export settings.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Mac Compatibility
If your 2015 iMac is no longer supported by the latest Microsoft 365 updates and Apple Pages disrupts your formatting, WPS Office is an excellent solution. It runs perfectly on older macOS versions while maintaining exact formatting standards.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install on Your iMac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Edit Your Documents Safely: Launch WPS Office and open your corrupted Word files directly to restore formatting with perfect DOCX compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the final version of Microsoft Word supported on macOS Monterey?
The August 2024 update, specifically version 16.88, is the final build of Microsoft 365 for Mac that officially supports macOS Monterey (macOS 12). Subsequent updates require macOS Ventura or newer.
Why did the margins and formatting in my Word document randomly expand?
This type of corruption typically happens due to conflicting paragraph styles, damaged normal.dotm templates, or when a file is repeatedly edited back and forth between different word processors like Apple Pages and Microsoft Word.
Can Windows users open Word documents exported from Apple Pages?
Yes, but you must select the correct export settings. In Apple Pages, go to File > Export To > Word, and ensure the format in the Advanced Options is set to DOCX. This provides the highest level of cross-platform compatibility.
