Updated on 13 November 2026
Yes, Word, Excel and PowerPoint work fine on a Mac. Microsoft makes its own Mac versions, which you install from the App Store or microsoft.com, and they run on the latest Macs with Apple silicon. You do need a licence. Here are your options, including the free alternatives.
The short answer
- Work or school: sign in with your work or school Microsoft 365 account; you often have the apps already.
- Home: choose Microsoft 365 (subscription) or a one-off Office licence.
- Free: Office on the web, or Apple's Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
Your options at a glance
| Option | What you get | Cost | Suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 (subscription) | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams | Monthly or yearly | Always the latest version plus OneDrive storage |
| Office Home (one-off) | Word, Excel, PowerPoint | One-off | No subscription |
| Office on the web | Word, Excel, PowerPoint in the browser | Free with a Microsoft account | Occasionally opening or editing a document |
| Pages, Numbers, Keynote | Apple equivalents | Free on every Mac | Your own documents; opens and saves Word and Excel files |
Installing Office on your Mac
- Open the App Store and search for Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint, or download the package from microsoft.com.
- Open one of the apps and sign in with your Microsoft account (personal, work or school).
- If a licence is linked to your account, the apps are activated automatically.
Differences from Windows
- Shortcuts usually use Command (⌘) instead of Ctrl: ⌘ + C to copy, ⌘ + S to save.
- Almost all features are the same. Exceptions are some Excel macros and add-ins that only exist for Windows.
- Files are interchangeable: a .docx or .xlsx made on a Mac opens on a Windows PC and vice versa.
Really need a Windows program?
If you use software that only exists for Windows, you can run Windows 11 virtually with, for example, Parallels Desktop.
A Mac for work
Macs from iUsed come with macOS, without an Office licence. See our refurbished MacBooks with a 3-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Is Office for Mac free?
No, but Office on the web is. Apple's Pages, Numbers and Keynote are free too and can open Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Does Office work on a MacBook with Apple silicon?
Yes. Microsoft 365 runs natively on Macs with M1 and later, and on the MacBook Neo.