This guide is for Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Business for Mac, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook 2019. Mac editions are redeemed through your Microsoft account rather than typed into the app.
Before you start
- Check your macOS version under the Apple menu > About This Mac. Office 2019 was built for macOS 10.14 Mojave through the releases current at its end of support; it is the option for older Macs, but very new macOS versions are not guaranteed. Ask us before redeeming if unsure; an unredeemed key is covered by the 30-day guarantee.
- You need a Microsoft account. Create one free at account.microsoft.com.
- Remove any trial or older Office first.
- Microsoft ended support for Office 2019 for Mac in October 2023. It runs but receives no security updates.
Step 1: Redeem your key
- Go to setup.office.com, or the link in your delivery email.
- Sign in with your own Microsoft account. The licence attaches to this account permanently.
- Enter your 25-character key, choose your country and language, and select Next.
Step 2: Download and install
- Select Install. On the Services page of your Microsoft account, find the Office Home & Business 2019 entry and use its Install button. The page may promote a newer version above it; use the 2019 one.
- Open the .pkg file from your Downloads folder and follow the installer.
- Enter your Mac password when prompted and let it finish.
Step 3: Activate
- Open Word from Launchpad.
- Select Sign in and use the same Microsoft account from Step 1.
- Office finds the licence and shows You're all set. Under Word > About Word it reads Office Home & Business 2019.
Office 2019 for Mac specific problems
"This key has already been redeemed"
The key is attached to a Microsoft account. If you redeemed it, sign in to Word with that account. If you did not, stop and contact support.
Word opens in view-only mode
You signed in with a different account from the one used at setup.office.com. Go to Word > Preferences > Sign out, then sign in with the right account.
Apple silicon Macs (M1 and later)
Office 2019 is an Intel app. macOS will offer to install Rosetta 2 the first time you open Word; accept it. Performance is fine for everyday use.
OneNote is missing
Correct for this edition. OneNote is a free download from the Mac App Store.
Need help?
Screenshot any error and contact support with your order number. Your purchase is covered by our 6-month licence warranty.