Install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and the other Microsoft 365 apps on your Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad or Android device, then sign in with your work email to activate them. This guide also explains which plans include the desktop apps and where to learn how to use each app.
Which apps can I install?
| Your plan | Desktop apps (Windows and Mac) | Mobile apps | Web apps (in a browser) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Basic | Not included | Yes | Yes |
| Business Standard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Business Premium | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apps for business | Yes | Yes | Yes |
With a plan that includes the desktop apps, each person can install them on up to 5 PCs or Macs, 5 tablets and 5 phones at the same time. If you're not sure which plan you have, see Business Basic vs Standard: what's included.
Before you start
- You need your work email address and password (for example
you@yourbusiness.co.uk), and your admin must have assigned you a licence. Admins, see Add a user and assign a licence. - On a computer, you need permission to install software (an administrator account on Windows, or your Mac login password).
- If an older version of Office, such as Office 2016 or 2019, is installed, the installer may ask you to remove it first. Make sure any open documents are saved.
Install on a Windows PC
- Sign in to Microsoft 365. Go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps (office.com takes you to the same place) and sign in with your work email address.
- Start the download. Select Install apps (on some accounts this is labelled Install and more), then choose Microsoft 365 apps. A small setup file downloads.
- Run the installer. Open the downloaded file from your browser's downloads list, then select Yes when Windows asks if the app can make changes to your device.
- Wait for the install to finish. It downloads the apps in the background and usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your connection. When you see a message that Office is installed, select Close.
- Activate. Open Word from the Start menu, accept the licence agreement, and sign in with your work email address if asked. The apps are now activated on this PC.
Install on a Mac
- Sign in to Microsoft 365. Go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps and sign in with your work email address.
- Download the installer. Select Install apps (or Install and more), then Microsoft 365 apps.
- Run the installer package. Open Finder → Downloads and double-click the Microsoft installer
.pkgfile. Select Continue, agree to the licence, then select Install and enter your Mac login password when asked. - Activate. Open Word from Launchpad or the Applications folder, select Get Started, and sign in with your work email address.
Install on iPhone, iPad and Android
Mobile apps are included with every plan, including Business Basic.
- Open the App Store or Google Play.
- Install the apps you need. Search for and install the ones your team uses, for example Microsoft Outlook (email and calendar), Microsoft Teams, Microsoft OneDrive, and Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app is an all-in-one app that gives access to your files and documents in one place.
- Sign in with your work account. Open each app, choose to sign in, and enter your work email address. If you're asked whether it's a personal or work account, choose Work or school.
- Approve the security check. Approve the sign-in in Microsoft Authenticator if prompted. Once you're signed in to one Microsoft app, the others on the same phone usually recognise your account automatically.
Setting up email on a phone? See Set up Microsoft 365 email on iPhone and Android.
Use the apps in a web browser
Everyone with a licence can use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook in a browser, with nothing to install. Sign in at m365.cloud.microsoft and choose an app. This is how Business Basic users create and edit documents on a computer, and it's handy on a shared or borrowed PC.
Check the apps are activated
Open Word or Excel and go to File → Account (on a Mac, the Word menu → About Word shows the licence). You should see your work email address and a Microsoft 365 subscription product. If you see Unlicensed Product or Product Activation Failed, see Troubleshooting below.
Moving to a new computer
Each person can be signed in on 5 computers at once. When you replace a computer, open any Office app on the old one and go to File → Account → Sign out before you wipe it. If the old computer has already gone, signing in on the new one will usually prompt you to sign out of another device.
Troubleshooting
I can't see the "Install apps" option
Either you have a Business Basic licence (which doesn't include desktop apps) or no licence has been assigned yet. Ask your admin to check your licence under Users → Active users in the admin centre. Microsoft's What business product or licence do I have? page explains how to check yourself.
"Unlicensed Product" or "Product Activation Failed"
The app is signed in with the wrong account, usually a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail) or an old work account. Go to File → Account, sign out of every account shown, close all Office apps, then reopen Word and sign in with your work email. If that doesn't work, your licence may have been removed. Check with your admin.
"We couldn't find any Office products" when signing in
You're signed in with an account that has no desktop app licence. Make sure you're using your work email, not a personal account, and that your admin has given you a Business Standard, Premium or Apps for business licence.
The installer stops or fails part-way
Restart the computer and try again on a reliable connection. Microsoft's install guide includes an offline installer and an uninstall tool for removing a damaged installation before starting again.
Learning Word, Excel and the other apps
Microsoft keeps detailed, up-to-date help and free training videos for every app. These are the best places to learn features such as tracked changes, page numbers, formulas or mail merge:
- Word help and learning
- Excel help and learning
- PowerPoint help and learning
- Outlook help and learning
- OneDrive help and learning
- Microsoft Teams help and learning
- Microsoft 365 help and learning (all apps)
Last reviewed: October 2026
