Microsoft Office for Windows on a Mac: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
Office for Mac is a different program from Office for Windows. Spreadsheets and documents that rely on Windows-only macros, COM add-ins, ActiveX controls or Power Pivot stop working there. CrossDriver App runs the Windows version of Office itself on your Mac, without a virtual machine and without a Windows license.
Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026
Microsoft Office on a Mac today
Microsoft's Office for Mac reads the same files, but its VBA runs in a sandbox, it can't load COM add-ins or ActiveX controls, and Excel for Mac has no Power Pivot data model. If your work depends on any of these, the Windows version is the only one that has them.
What you get with the Windows version
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access from the same Office installation
VBA macros, including ones that call Windows functions or other programs
COM add-ins and ActiveX controls, such as company add-ins and finance or tax plug-ins
Opens from the Dock and Spotlight like a Mac app, with your Mac folders available
Versions with a ready-made setup
Pick one in the Setup Center of CrossDriver App. It creates its own environment, installs the components the app needs and runs the official installer; you bring the installer and your license.
Microsoft Office 2016 (retail key) Experimental
Office 2016 retail, Click-to-Run Version 2002 (16.0.12527.22286, x64)
Download Office 2016 from Microsoft and activate it with your own Office 2016 retail product key (Home & Student, Home & Business, Professional and others).
What you need Bring your own Office 2016 retail product key. You enter it in Office and Office activates online with Microsoft; CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Office 2019, 2021 and 2024 keys can't be used here.
On first launch Office asks for your product key. If the key is for a different edition (for example Home & Student), Office downloads that edition from Microsoft and restarts; keep the Mac online.
Updates stay off: this is the last Office build Microsoft still serves for Windows 7.
PowerPoint needs Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 (volume license) Experimental
2016 Professional Plus, volume license MSI (16.0.4266.1001, x64)
Install Office Professional Plus 2016 from your organization's volume license (VLSC) media and activate it with your MAK or KMS.
What you need Bring your organization's volume license. You enter the MAK in Office (or Office finds your KMS host) and Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS; CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7.
MAK: open any app, File > Account > Change Product Key, enter your MAK, then let Office activate online.
PowerPoint needs Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 Experimental
2016 Professional Plus, Click-to-Run DVD (16.0.4266.1003, x64)
Install Office 2016 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and more) from your own Click-to-Run DVD media, offline.
What you need Bring your own license. CrossDriver never activates Office for you.
Good to know
On first launch Office asks for your product key; afterwards the Office Activation Wizard may appear. Activation is up to you: CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
PowerPoint needs Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office 2016 (MSI media, 32-bit) Experimental
2016 Professional Plus / Standard / Visio / Project, MSI media (32-bit)
Install Office 2016, Visio 2016 or Project 2016 from your own MSI media (volume or retail) with Microsoft's setup wizard, and activate with your own key.
What you need Bring your own license. You enter the key in Microsoft's setup or in Office; Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS. CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2010–2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Enter your product key in the setup wizard or later under File > Account.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft 365 Apps (online install, latest) Experimental
Microsoft 365 Apps, Current Channel, latest build (online installer, x64, zh-CN)
Install the latest Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook and more) with Microsoft's own online installer. Office downloads itself from Microsoft during setup.
Needs a Microsoft 365 subscription; sign-in support is limited
Microsoft 365 apps are licensed by signing in, not by product key. On CrossDriver, work or school accounts can sign in; personal Microsoft accounts cannot sign in yet. Whether Office then shows as licensed has not been verified yet.
Alternatives
Native Office for Mac: retail Office 2021/2024 (Home & Student, Home & Business …) installs on a Mac with the same license; organizations can get Office LTSC Standard for Mac 2024
What you need Needs your own Microsoft 365 subscription: sign in inside Office to activate. CrossDriver never activates Office for you.
Good to know
Setup downloads about 3–4 GB from Microsoft; on a slow connection this takes hours. Keep the Mac awake and CrossDriver open until the setup step finishes.
Until you sign in with a Microsoft 365 account that has an Office license, Office runs unlicensed (title bar says so).
On first launch Office shows Microsoft's privacy notice; click Next once.
Excel and PowerPoint need Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for EXCEL.EXE and POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Experimental
Microsoft 365 Apps, Current Channel (Click-to-Run, x64, zh-CN)
Install Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook and more, Current Channel) offline from files you downloaded with the Office Deployment Tool.
Needs a Microsoft 365 subscription; sign-in support is limited
Microsoft 365 apps are licensed by signing in, not by product key. On CrossDriver, work or school accounts can sign in; personal Microsoft accounts cannot sign in yet. Whether Office then shows as licensed has not been verified yet.
Alternatives
Native Office for Mac: retail Office 2021/2024 (Home & Student, Home & Business …) installs on a Mac with the same license; organizations can get Office LTSC Standard for Mac 2024
What you need Needs your own Microsoft 365 subscription: sign in inside Office to activate. CrossDriver never activates Office for you.
Good to know
Signing in to your Microsoft account inside Office has not been verified under CrossDriver yet. Until you sign in, Office runs unlicensed (title bar says so).
Automatic updates are off; to update, download newer files with the Office Deployment Tool and run this setup again.
On first launch Office shows Microsoft's privacy notice; click Next once.
Excel and PowerPoint need Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for EXCEL.EXE and POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Microsoft Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 Experimental
LTSC 2024 Professional Plus volume (Click-to-Run, x64, zh-CN)
Install Office LTSC 2024 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and more) offline from volume media you downloaded with the Office Deployment Tool.
Installs, but cannot be activated: read-only use
Office 2019, 2021 and 2024 can only be activated through Windows' own licensing service (SPP), which CrossDriver cannot provide. After installing, Office keeps showing "Unlicensed Product" and runs in reduced functionality mode: you can open, view and print documents, but not create or edit them. CrossDriver does not provide or support any third-party activation tool.
Alternatives
Have an Office 2016 retail key: the "Office 2016 (retail key)" plan, activates normally
Have an Office 2016 volume license (MAK/KMS): the "Professional Plus 2016 (volume license)" plan
Native Office for Mac: retail Office 2021/2024 (Home & Student, Home & Business …) installs on a Mac with the same license; organizations can get Office LTSC Standard for Mac 2024
What you need Bring your own volume license. CrossDriver never activates Office for you.
Good to know
Office stays unlicensed (title bar says so) until you activate it with your own volume license.
On first launch Office shows Microsoft's privacy notice; click Next once.
Excel and PowerPoint need Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for EXCEL.EXE and POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Outlook COM / VSTO add-ins: install the add-in's own installer into this container (drag it onto the container). .NET Framework 4.8 and the VSTO runtime that Office ships are already in place.
Microsoft Office 2013 (MSI media) Experimental
2013 Professional Plus / Standard / Visio / Project, MSI media (64-bit)
Install Office 2013, Visio 2013 or Project 2013 from your own MSI media (volume or retail) with Microsoft's setup wizard, and activate with your own key.
Office 2013 hasn't been tested on CrossDriver yet
Office 2013 uses the same activation service (OSPP) as Office 2016, which works on CrossDriver, but installation and daily use of 2013 haven't been verified yet. Try it in this dedicated container; your other containers are not affected.
Alternatives
Have an Office 2016 retail key: the "Office 2016 (retail key)" plan, activates normally
Have an Office 2016 volume license (MAK/KMS): the "Professional Plus 2016 (volume license)" plan
What you need Bring your own license. You enter the key in Microsoft's setup or in Office; Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS. CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2010–2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Enter your product key in the setup wizard or later under File > Account.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office 2013 (MSI media, 32-bit) Experimental
2013 Professional Plus / Standard / Visio / Project, MSI media (32-bit)
Install Office 2013, Visio 2013 or Project 2013 from your own MSI media (volume or retail) with Microsoft's setup wizard, and activate with your own key.
Office 2013 hasn't been tested on CrossDriver yet
Office 2013 uses the same activation service (OSPP) as Office 2016, which works on CrossDriver, but installation and daily use of 2013 haven't been verified yet. Try it in this dedicated container; your other containers are not affected.
Alternatives
Have an Office 2016 retail key: the "Office 2016 (retail key)" plan, activates normally
Have an Office 2016 volume license (MAK/KMS): the "Professional Plus 2016 (volume license)" plan
What you need Bring your own license. You enter the key in Microsoft's setup or in Office; Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS. CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2010–2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Enter your product key in the setup wizard or later under File > Account.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office 2010 (MSI media) Experimental
2010 Professional Plus / Standard / Visio / Project, MSI media (64-bit)
Install Office 2010, Visio 2010 or Project 2010 from your own MSI media (volume or retail) with Microsoft's setup wizard, and activate with your own key.
Office 2010 hasn't been tested on CrossDriver yet
Office 2010 uses the same activation service (OSPP) as Office 2016, which works on CrossDriver, but installation and daily use of 2010 haven't been verified yet. Try it in this dedicated container; your other containers are not affected.
Alternatives
Have an Office 2016 retail key: the "Office 2016 (retail key)" plan, activates normally
Have an Office 2016 volume license (MAK/KMS): the "Professional Plus 2016 (volume license)" plan
What you need Bring your own license. You enter the key in Microsoft's setup or in Office; Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS. CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2010–2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Enter your product key in the setup wizard or later under File > Account.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office 2010 (MSI media, 32-bit) Experimental
2010 Professional Plus / Standard / Visio / Project, MSI media (32-bit)
Install Office 2010, Visio 2010 or Project 2010 from your own MSI media (volume or retail) with Microsoft's setup wizard, and activate with your own key.
Office 2010 hasn't been tested on CrossDriver yet
Office 2010 uses the same activation service (OSPP) as Office 2016, which works on CrossDriver, but installation and daily use of 2010 haven't been verified yet. Try it in this dedicated container; your other containers are not affected.
Alternatives
Have an Office 2016 retail key: the "Office 2016 (retail key)" plan, activates normally
Have an Office 2016 volume license (MAK/KMS): the "Professional Plus 2016 (volume license)" plan
What you need Bring your own license. You enter the key in Microsoft's setup or in Office; Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS. CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2010–2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Enter your product key in the setup wizard or later under File > Account.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
The labels are the ones the App shows. Experimental: works in our tests but not yet verified end to end on every Mac. Known issues: works, with the limits listed.
How to run Microsoft Office on your Mac
Download CrossDriver AppDrag it into Applications like any other Mac app. The preview includes every Pro feature for free, and the free edition needs no account.
Drag in the installerOr pick an app in the Setup Center. CrossDriver App gets the runtimes, fonts and settings it needs ready for you.
Open it like a Mac appDouble-click and go. Add it to Applications, and from then on open it from Launchpad or Spotlight.
Questions about Microsoft Office on a Mac
Which Office versions can I activate?
Office 2016 activates normally with your own retail product key or your organization's volume license (MAK or KMS). Office 2019, 2021 and 2024 install but can't be activated, because they need a Windows licensing service that CrossDriver can't provide, so they run read-only. Microsoft 365 work and school accounts can sign in; personal Microsoft accounts can't sign in yet.
Do I need a Windows license?
No. You need the Office installer and your Office license, nothing else from Microsoft. CrossDriver never activates Office for you and doesn't support third-party activation tools.
Can I keep Office for Mac as well?
Yes. Both can be installed side by side; open the Windows version when a file needs macros, add-ins or controls that Office for Mac doesn't support.
Try Microsoft Office on your Mac
Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026
