Just as expected, the Microsoft Office 365 suite is now available to download from the Mac App Store.
The bundle includes six apps — including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — each of which can also be downloaded individually. They are free to obtain, but you’ll need a subscription to unlock even basic features in most of them.
In addition to the three aforementioned apps, the Office 365 bundle also includes OneNote and OneDrive, which were already available from the Mac App Store, and Outlook. All offers features unique to macOS, including Touch Bar support, dark mode for Mojave, and more.
‘Easier than ever’ to get Office on your Mac
“We are excited to welcome Microsoft Office 365 to the all new Mac App Store in macOS Mojave,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“Apple and Microsoft have worked together to bring great Office productivity to Mac users from the very beginning. Now, with Office 365 on the Mac App Store, it’s easier than ever to get the latest and best version of Office 365 for Mac, iPad and iPhone.”
You can hit one button to download all six apps simultaneously, or choose the ones you want. But don’t be deceived by the free downloads.
Microsoft Office requires a subscription on macOS
Most of Microsoft’s Office apps require an Office 365 subscription to be used on macOS — just like on Windows. If you don’t already have one, you can obtain one through an in-app purchase.
Sadly, Office apps downloaded from the Mac App Store cannot be activated with one-time licenses. If you still rely on one of those, you’ll need to continue downloading directly from Microsoft.
You’ll still be able to download the apps and use them with limited functionality. But for titles like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, that means you’ll only be able to open and read documents — not edit them.
Why download Office from the Mac App Store?
If you already have Office installed on your Mac, you won’t need to download the apps again from the Mac App Store. However, you may wish to use Apple’s storefront in the future.
The biggest reason for doing so is convenience: It’s much easier to download apps from the Mac App Store than it is to find download links on the web, especially when you’re setting up a new Mac from scratch.
What’s more, Mac App Store updates are a lot more seamless than traditional Microsoft Office updates.
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