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Will Word Files Transfer When Upgrading Mac from Catalina to Sonoma?
Question details
The user is asking whether their Microsoft Word files and application data will remain intact when upgrading their iMac operating system from Catalina to Sonoma.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac (version 16.54)
- Device & OS
- macOS (Catalina to Sonoma)
- Scenario
- Upgrading a Mac operating system while retaining existing documents and ensuring Word continues to function.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to ensure data continuity and avoid file loss or software incompatibility during the macOS upgrade.
Before initiating any major macOS upgrade, back up your iMac using Time Machine or a reliable cloud storage service to ensure all important documents are secure.
Safely Upgrade macOS and Update Microsoft Word
Your local Word documents will automatically remain on your Mac after the update, but you must update your Office applications to version 16.77 or newer to run on macOS Sonoma.
Upgrading your macOS does not delete your personal files. However, older software versions like Word 16.54 are not fully compatible with macOS Sonoma. Microsoft officially supports macOS Sonoma from Office version 16.77 onward. You should complete the macOS upgrade first, then update your Microsoft 365 applications immediately after.
Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update on your Mac and proceed with the upgrade to macOS Sonoma.
Once Sonoma is installed, open your Mac browser, download the latest version of the Microsoft AutoUpdate application from the official site, and install it to replace the older version.
Launch Microsoft AutoUpdate. Run the updater tool to bring Microsoft Word and all other Office applications to version 16.77 or later.
After all Microsoft updates have successfully installed, restart your iMac to ensure all software changes and system configurations take effect.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience
Worried about version compatibility and mandatory software updates on your newly upgraded macOS Sonoma? WPS Office is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office that runs flawlessly on the latest Apple operating systems without constant update hassles.
- 1. Download the macOS Version: Visit the WPS Office website and download the installation package designed for macOS.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Existing Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open any of your existing Microsoft Word documents without losing formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to repurchase Microsoft Word after upgrading my Mac?
No, your existing Microsoft 365 subscription or perpetual license remains valid. You simply need to update the application software to the newer version compatible with macOS Sonoma.
Where are my Word documents saved locally on a Mac?
Unless you specified a different location or saved them exclusively to OneDrive, your local Word documents are typically saved in the default 'Documents' folder, which can be accessed via Finder.
What happens if I try to open Word 16.54 on macOS Sonoma?
If you attempt to run older, unsupported versions of Word (like 16.54) on macOS Sonoma, the application may crash, freeze, or fail to launch completely because it does not meet the newer OS compatibility requirements.
Can I use Time Machine to restore just my Word files if they go missing?
Yes. If you backed up your Mac using Time Machine prior to the upgrade, you can launch Time Machine, navigate to your original Documents folder, and restore any specific Word files you may have misplaced.
