Microsoft Excel Support for macOS Big Sur 11.7.10: Compatible Versions
Question details
The user needs to find a compatible version of Microsoft Excel and Office for a mid-2017 MacBook Pro running macOS Big Sur 11.7.10.

- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur 11.7.10
- Scenario
- Installing Microsoft Office on an older MacBook Pro running macOS Big Sur.
- Observed behavior
- Modern Microsoft 365 installers fail to run on macOS Big Sur, requiring the user to locate the final historical build that still supports this specific operating system.
Verify your exact macOS version by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner and selecting 'About This Mac' to ensure it is indeed Big Sur 11.7.10.
Download and Install Office for Mac Version 16.77
Install the September 2023 update (version 16.77), which is the final Microsoft Office build officially compatible with macOS Big Sur.
Microsoft's policy is to support only the three most recent versions of macOS. Because newer operating systems have been released, Big Sur is no longer supported by the latest Office updates. To use Excel on Big Sur, you must use the legacy 16.77 build.
Navigate to the official Microsoft page for 'Update history for Office for Mac' using your web browser.
Scroll down to the release date of September 12, 2023, which corresponds to version 16.77 (23091003).
Click the download link for the 'Office suite (with Teams)' or 'Office suite (without Teams)' to download the correct .pkg file directly from Microsoft's Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file in your Downloads folder and follow the on-screen prompts to install Excel and the rest of the Office suite on your Mac.
Once installed, open Excel, click 'Help' in the top menu bar, select 'Check for Updates', and uncheck the box for automatic updates to prevent the system from attempting to download incompatible newer versions.

Try WPS Office: Lightweight & Fully Compatible for Mac
If you are struggling to find compatible older versions of Microsoft Office or are using an older MacBook Pro, WPS Office provides a modern, fast, and completely free alternative that works seamlessly on your Mac without compatibility headaches.
- 1. Visit the WPS Website: Go to the official WPS Office website on your Mac.
- 2. Download the Mac Version: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the latest installation package designed for macOS.
- 3. Install and Use: Open the downloaded file, drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder, and start working on your spreadsheets immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I install the latest Microsoft Excel on macOS Big Sur?
Microsoft Office for Mac only supports the three most recent major versions of Apple's macOS. As Apple releases new operating systems, older ones like Big Sur drop off Microsoft's supported list, preventing the installation of the latest Excel updates.
Can I still get security updates for Office version 16.77?
No, Microsoft stopped providing security patches and new features for version 16.77 after September 2023. However, the software itself will continue to function normally on your machine.
How do I stop Microsoft AutoUpdate from trying to upgrade my Excel?
Open Excel, click 'Help' in the top menu bar, select 'Check for Updates', and uncheck the 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' option. This stops the updater from repeatedly trying to fetch unsupported versions.
Is my mid-2017 MacBook Pro able to run a newer macOS to get the latest Excel?
A mid-2017 MacBook Pro can typically be upgraded to macOS Ventura (macOS 13), which is currently supported by the latest Microsoft Office builds. Check 'Software Update' in your System Preferences to see if an upgrade is available.




