How To Purchase Microsoft Office For Macbook Air

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How To Purchase Microsoft Office For Macbook Air

You want to know the best way to get Office for Mac? And is Microsoft Office truly a MacBook Air compatible Office suite? Yes, it is! You can easily get Microsoft Office for your MacBook Air. There are a few good ways to do this. This guide will show you each option. It will help you choose what is best for you.

Microsoft Office works great on MacBook Air. Many people use apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on their Mac. This guide makes buying and using Office simple. We will look at different choices. You can pick the one that fits your needs and budget.

Grasping Your Office Choices for Mac

Before you buy, know your options. Microsoft offers Office in two main ways for Mac. One is a paid plan called Microsoft 365. The other is a one-time purchase called Office Home & Student 2021 for Mac. There is also Office Home & Business 2021. Each has its own features and costs.

Exploring Microsoft 365 for Mac

Microsoft 365 is a service you pay for regularly. Think of it like a subscription. You pay every month or year. This gives you many benefits. You always get the newest versions of Office apps. You also get more storage online.

What You Get with Microsoft 365

• Latest Apps: You always have the newest Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
• Cloud Storage: You get 1 TB of online storage with OneDrive. This helps you save files and get them anywhere.
• Use on Many Devices: You can install it on many computers, tablets, and phones. This includes your MacBook Air.
• Ongoing Support: You get help from Microsoft if you have problems.
• New Features: Microsoft adds new tools often. You get them as soon as they come out.

Microsoft 365 for Mac pricing

The price of Microsoft 365 changes based on the plan. There are plans for personal use and for families.

Prices can change. Always check the official Microsoft website for the most current costs. For most MacBook Air users at home, Personal or Family plans are best.

Why Choose Microsoft 365?

• You like having the newest software.
• You need lots of online storage.
• You use Office on more than one device.
• You want continued support from Microsoft.

Looking at Office Home & Student 2021 for Mac

Office Home & Student 2021 for Mac is a one-time purchase. You buy it once, and it is yours forever. This is also called a Microsoft Office perpetual license Mac. It means you own that version of the software. You do not pay a monthly or yearly fee.

What You Get with Office Home & Student 2021

• Core Apps: You get Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• One-Time Cost: You pay for it just once.
• No Future Updates: You do not get new features or major version upgrades. For example, if Office 2025 comes out, you would need to buy it again.
• One Computer: You can install it on only one Mac.

Who is Office Home & Student 2021 for?

This option is great if you:
* Only need the basic apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
* Do not want to pay a monthly fee.
* Use Office on only one MacBook Air.
* Do not need the newest features right away.

The cost for Office Home & Student 2021 for Mac is usually around $149.99. This is a single payment.

Surveying Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac

There is also Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac. This is also a one-time purchase. It costs more than the Home & Student version. The main difference is that it includes Outlook. Outlook is for email, calendars, and contacts. If you use Outlook often, this could be a good choice. Its price is usually around $249.99.

Office 365 vs Office 2021 Mac: A Direct Look

Deciding between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 (the perpetual license) is key. Both let you use Word Excel PowerPoint for Mac. But they work differently.

Choose Microsoft 365 if you like regular updates and cloud benefits. Pick Office 2021 if you want to pay once and use basic apps on one Mac.

The Path to Purchasing Office for Your MacBook Air

You can buy Microsoft Office from different places. Make sure you buy from a trusted source.

Buying from Microsoft Directly

The Microsoft website is the safest place to buy.

1. Go to the Official Site: Open your web browser. Go to www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/mac.
2. Choose Your Product: Look for Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Office Home & Student 2021.
3. Add to Cart: Click the “Buy now” or “Add to cart” button.
4. Check Out: Follow the steps to pay. You will need a Microsoft account. If you do not have one, you can make one.
5. Confirmation: After paying, you will get an email. This email has your order details. It also has a link to download Office. Or, it will tell you how to find it in your Microsoft account.

Buying from Apple Retail Stores

Apple stores and their online shop also sell Office.

1. Visit Apple Store: Go to an Apple Store in person. Or, visit www.apple.com/shop/accessories/all-accessories/software.
2. Find Office: Look for Microsoft 365 or Office 2021.
3. Purchase: Buy it like any other item. You might get a physical card with a product key. Or, you might get a digital code by email.

Buying from Other Retailers

Many tech stores sell Microsoft Office. These include Amazon, Best Buy, and others.

1. Check Trusted Stores: Use well-known online or physical stores.
2. Look for Deals: Sometimes, these stores have sales.
3. Verify Product: Make sure it is the correct version for Mac. Check that it is a new, unopened product.
4. Product Key: If you buy a boxed version, the product key will be inside. For digital purchases, the key comes by email.

A note on product keys: If you get a product key, you will use it to activate your Office. Keep it safe!

Steps to Install Microsoft Office on MacBook Air

Once you buy Office, the next step is to install it. The process is simple.

Before You Begin Installation

• Internet Connection: Make sure your MacBook Air is connected to the internet. You will need it to download the apps.
• Enough Space: Check that you have enough free space on your Mac. Office apps take up several gigabytes.
• Quit Other Programs: Close any other apps that are running. This helps the installation go smoothly.

How to Download Office Apps Mac

1. Go to Your Microsoft Account: Open your web browser. Go to account.microsoft.com/services.
2. Sign In: Use the Microsoft account you used to buy Office. This is often your email address.
3. Find Your Product: Look for “Microsoft 365” or “Office Home & Student 2021.”
4. Click Install: You will see an “Install” button. Click it.
5. Download Installer: A file will download to your Mac. This file is called “Microsoft_Office_Installer.pkg” or similar. It usually goes to your Downloads folder.

Tip: If you bought a product key from a store, go to setup.office.com first. Enter your product key there. Then, link it to your Microsoft account. After that, you can download Office from account.microsoft.com/services.

Running the Installer

1. Open Downloads: Go to your Downloads folder. Find the installer file.
2. Double-Click: Double-click on the “Microsoft_Office_Installer.pkg” file.
3. Follow On-Screen Steps: A window will pop up. It will guide you through the install.
   • Click “Continue.”
   • Read the software license. Click “Continue.” Then click “Agree.”
   • Choose where to install it. Usually, “Install for all users of this computer” is fine. Click “Continue.”
   • Click “Install.”
   • Your Mac may ask for your password. Type it in. This is your MacBook Air’s admin password.
4. Wait for Install: The installation will begin. It might take some time. Do not close your MacBook Air or let it go to sleep.
5. Finish: Once it is done, you will see a message saying “The installation was successful.” Click “Close.”

Ways to Activate Office on macOS

After installing, you need to activate Office. This tells Microsoft that you own the software.

First Time Opening an Office App

1. Open an App: Go to your Applications folder. Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
2. Sign In Prompt: The app will ask you to sign in. It will say “Sign in to activate Office.”
3. Enter Microsoft Account: Type the email address and password for your Microsoft account. This must be the same account you used to buy or link your Office product.
4. Agree to Terms: You might need to agree to some terms.
5. Activation Complete: Office should now be active. You can start using it.

Using a Product Key for Activation

If you bought Office 2021 with a product key:

1. Go to Setup Site: Open your browser. Go to setup.office.com.
2. Sign In: Sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have one, create one.
3. Enter Key: Type in your 25-character product key.
4. Choose Region/Language: Pick your country and language.
5. Download/Install: The site will then guide you to download and install Office. If you already installed it, this step links your license to your account.
6. Activate in App: Once linked, open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. It should prompt you to sign in with that same Microsoft account. This will activate your Office.

Troubleshooting Activation Issues

Sometimes activation does not work right away. Here are some quick fixes:

• Check Internet: Make sure your MacBook Air has a strong internet connection.
• Correct Account: Are you using the correct Microsoft account? It must be the one tied to your Office license.
• Restart App: Close the Office app. Then open it again.
• Restart Mac: Sometimes, simply restarting your MacBook Air helps.
• Check License: Go to account.microsoft.com/services. Make sure your Office product is listed there.
• Contact Microsoft Support: If nothing works, reach out to Microsoft’s support team. They can help check your license.

Leveraging Word Excel PowerPoint for Mac

Once Office is active, you are ready to use it! Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on Mac are very powerful. They are almost the same as their Windows versions.

Key Features You Can Use:

• Word: Write documents, reports, and letters. Use many fonts and styles. Check spelling and grammar.
• Excel: Create spreadsheets. Do math with numbers. Make charts and graphs. Organize data.
• PowerPoint: Make presentations. Add slides, pictures, and videos. Share your ideas with others.

Tips for Mac Users:

• Familiar Layout: The menus and toolbars look similar to other Mac apps.
• Mac Shortcuts: Many Mac keyboard shortcuts work in Office apps. For example, Command + S to save.
• Full Screen Mode: Use Office apps in full-screen mode for a better focus.
• Dark Mode: Office apps support macOS Dark Mode. This is easy on your eyes.
• Cloud Saving: If you have Microsoft 365, save your work directly to OneDrive. This lets you get your files from any device.

Keeping Your Office Apps Up-to-Date

For Microsoft 365 users, updates happen often. For Office 2021 users, updates are mainly for security.

For Microsoft 365

Office apps will usually update by themselves. You can also check for updates manually:

1. Open any Office app (like Word).
2. Go to the “Help” menu at the top of your screen.
3. Click “Check for Updates.”
4. The Microsoft AutoUpdate tool will open. Click “Update” if new versions are found.

For Office 2021

Office 2021 will only get security updates. It will not get new features. You can check for these updates the same way as for Microsoft 365.

Other Ways to Use Office on MacBook Air

Besides buying the full Office suite, you have other options.

Free Online Office Apps

You can use free online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• How to Get Them: Go to office.com in your web browser. Sign in with a free Microsoft account.
• What You Get: Basic versions of the apps. You can create, edit, and share files.
• Limitations: They do not have all the features of the paid desktop apps. You need an internet connection to use them.

These free apps are great for light use. They work well for quick edits or simple tasks.

Apple’s Free Productivity Apps

MacBook Air comes with its own free apps: Pages (like Word), Numbers (like Excel), and Keynote (like PowerPoint).

• Already on Your Mac: These apps are already installed.
• Similar Features: They offer many of the same tools as Office apps.
• File Compatibility: They can open and save Microsoft Office files. Sometimes, complex files might look different.

These are good if you do not want to buy Office. They are built for Mac and work very well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about Microsoft Office and MacBook Air.

Can I use my old Office license from a PC on my MacBook Air?

No, usually not. A PC license is for Windows computers. A Mac license is for Apple computers. They are different. You need to buy an Office version made for Mac.

Is Microsoft 365 better than Office 2021 for a MacBook Air?

It depends on your needs. Microsoft 365 gives you ongoing updates, cloud storage, and multiple device installs. Office 2021 is a one-time purchase for basic apps on one Mac. If you need the latest features and cloud services, Microsoft 365 is often better.

How much does Microsoft 365 for Mac pricing cost?

Microsoft 365 Personal costs about $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Microsoft 365 Family costs about $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Prices can change, so always check the Microsoft website.

Will my MacBook Air run Microsoft Office smoothly?

Yes, absolutely! Modern MacBook Air models are very powerful. They run Microsoft Office apps very smoothly. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are optimized for macOS.

Can I get a free trial of Microsoft 365?

Yes, you can! Microsoft often offers a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Family. You can sign up for it on the Microsoft website. This lets you try all the features before you buy.

What if I lose my product key for Office 2021?

If you linked your product key to your Microsoft account at setup.office.com, you do not need the key anymore. Your license is tied to your account. You can always download and activate Office by signing into your Microsoft account on account.microsoft.com/services.

Do I need an internet connection to use Office apps after I install them?

For Microsoft 365, you need to connect to the internet at least once every 30 days. This is to check your subscription. For Office 2021 (perpetual license), you only need the internet for installation and activation. After that, you can use the apps offline.

Are there other ways to get Office for free?

Some schools and colleges offer free Microsoft 365 for students and teachers. Check with your school to see if you qualify. This is called Office 365 Education.

Conclusion

Buying Microsoft Office for your MacBook Air is easy. You have clear choices: a yearly plan (Microsoft 365) or a one-time purchase (Office 2021). Both options give you powerful tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Think about how you use Office. Consider your budget. Then pick the best option for your MacBook Air. With Office on your Mac, you can do all your work with ease.

Carlos Gadd

My name is Carlos Gadd, and I am the creator of AirPurityGuide.com.. With a passion for footwear, I share my experiences, insights, and expertise about shoes. Through my blog, I aim to guide readers in making informed decisions, finding the perfect pair, and enhancing their footwear knowledge. Join me on this journey to explore everything about shoes!