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Microsoft Office 2021 (365) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 276
Article Title = Microsoft Office 2021 (365) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 25th February 2021
Article Last Updated = 26th October 2021
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?276

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Office 2021 / Microsoft 365

Installation, Registration, Compatibility and Requirements

  • Office 2021 for consumers, students, and small businesses was launched on 5th October 2021 - Office 2021 for other users is coming at a later date
  • Office 2021 (Microsoft 365 subscription) requires internet activation and a Microsoft Account to install
  • Office 2021 (standalone, perpetual licence) requires a serial number/key and internet activation to install (registration of a Microsoft Account is required if you do not already have one)
    • NOTE: If you are having problems with installation/activation call Microsoft on 02031 474930 in the UK or (866) 825-4797 in the USA. Alternatively, see these dedicated Microsoft support pages. You can also try removing any licensing files from your computer and reinstalling/reactivating.
  • Office 2021 is only supported/gets security updates if you are running a supported version of macOS:
    • Q. What are the current, supported versions of macOS?
    A. macOS 14 (Sonoma), macOS 13 (Ventura), and macOS 12 (Monterey) are supported by Apple. The latest security updates are:
    • macOS 14.6.1 - included in the macOS 14.6.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 14.6.1 update)
    • macOS 13.6.9 - included in the macOS 13.6.9 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 13.6.9 update + latest Safari update - scroll to the very bottom of Software Update and click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
    • macOS 12.7.6 - included in the macOS 12.7.6 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and install the 12.7.6 update + latest Safari update - click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
    • SECURITY WARNING: macOS 11 and earlier are no longer supported with security updates - see our securing older operating systems article.

Initial, Primary New Features

  • Office
    • Many of the collaboration features previously only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers have been incorporated into Office 2021
    • Microsoft Teams is a standard installed application
    • Better collaboration with modern comments
    • Know who's working in your document
    • Save your changes as they happen via OneDrive
    • Work with a modernized Start experience and newly refreshed tabs in the ribbon
    • Save as SVG for your pictures and graphics
  • Word
    • Immersive Reader advanced color support
    • Natural-sounding voices with Read Aloud
  • Outlook
    • Visual refresh
  • Excel
    • XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, and XMATCH / LET functions
    • Create customized views without disrupting others
    • Watch cells across multiple sheets and books in a single pane or window
  • Powerpoint
    • Make an animated GIF from a slide show
    • Ink Replay - Slide Animation for Ink object
NOTE: Not all new features are available in Office LTSC 2021 for Mac.

Ongoing New Features

Microsoft maintains a set of release notes for each new update online here.

General FAQ

Q. When is Office 2021 shipping?
A. Office 2021 was announced on 23rd September 2020 with a release to consumers, students, and small businesses on 5th October 2021.
Q. How does the Office/Microsoft 365 subscription work and how much is it?
A. See our separate article.
Q. What if I don't want to subscribe to Office/Microsoft 365?
A. There is a perpetual licence (retail) product "Microsoft Office Home & Business" and for larger businesses there is also "volume licensing" available.
Q. What software is included?
A. The following applications are included in Office 2021 for Mac:
  • Excel
  • OneNote
  • Outlook
  • Powerpoint
  • Word
  • Teams
You also get a selection of fonts that are only available to use with the Microsoft Office 2021 applications. Publisher, Access, Visio and Project are not included and probably never will be.
Q. Will Office 2021 for Mac be 64-bit?
A. Yes, as Office 2019 is already 64-bit.
Q. Will Office 2021 for Mac support Apple Silicon?
A. Yes, as Office 2019 already supports Apple's own processors.
Q. What's this I hear about Office LTSC?
A. Office LTSC has extended offline access to enable devices to stay activated without connecting to the internet for up to 180 days (instead of the normal 30 days). And, obviously, if Office LTSC is not connected to the internet, it cannot access features that require the internet to work e.g. Dictation. These features are referred to by Microsoft as "Connected Experiences". Office LTSC is only for very specific users and usage scenarios - most normal home/business users will have no use for it.
Q. Should I upgrade to Office 2021?
A. If you are not running a supported version of macOS you will not be able to upgrade. As Office 2019 is supported until 10th October 2023 you can still use that until that date if you want.
Q. What are the current, supported versions of macOS?
A. macOS 14 (Sonoma), macOS 13 (Ventura), and macOS 12 (Monterey) are supported by Apple. The latest security updates are:
  • macOS 14.6.1 - included in the macOS 14.6.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 14.6.1 update)
  • macOS 13.6.9 - included in the macOS 13.6.9 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 13.6.9 update + latest Safari update - scroll to the very bottom of Software Update and click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
  • macOS 12.7.6 - included in the macOS 12.7.6 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and install the 12.7.6 update + latest Safari update - click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
  • SECURITY WARNING: macOS 11 and earlier are no longer supported with security updates - see our securing older operating systems article.
Q. Are there any alternatives to Microsoft Office?
A. Yes - see our list of alternatives to Microsoft Office.
Q. How do I update Microsoft Office 2021?
A. See our updating Microsoft products article here.

Article Keywords: Microsoft Office 2021 365 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Perpetual Licence Licences licencing License Licenses licensing boxed retail personal single user home corporate small business SME education educational volume sub subscription

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