Installing Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016 on your Mac gives you access to powerful productivity tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Although newer versions are available, Office 2016 remains a popular choice due to its one-time purchase, reliability, and compatibility with macOS.
In this comprehensive blog, you’ll learn how to successfully install Microsoft Office 2016 on Mac, activate it, and troubleshoot common issues—ideal for both new and experienced Mac users.
Why Choose Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016 for Mac?
Before diving into installation, let’s understand why this version is still relevant:
- One-Time Purchase: No subscription fees—pay once and use forever.
- Offline Access: Once installed, no need for continuous internet access.
- Familiar Tools: Includes full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook.
- macOS Compatibility: Fully optimized for older and mid-range Mac versions.
System Requirements for Office 2016 on Mac
Before you install, make sure your Mac meets these requirements:
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
| Operating System | macOS 10.10 (Yosemite) or later |
| Processor | Intel processor |
| RAM | 4 GB or more |
| Hard Disk | 6 GB of available disk space |
| Display | 1280 x 800 screen resolution |
| Browser | Current version of Safari or other major browsers |
Note: Office 2016 is not optimized for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) chips but may still run via Rosetta 2.
Step-by-Step Guide to Install Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016 on Mac
Step 1: Purchase & Download the Installer
- Visit a trusted store like Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016.
- Complete your purchase and download the installer file (usually .pkg or .dmg format).
- Save the file to your Downloads folder or desktop for easy access.
Step 2: Launch the Installer
- Double-click the .dmg file to mount it.
- Inside the mounted image, double-click on Office Installer.pkg or Microsoft_Office_2016_Installer.pkg.
- The installation wizard will open.
Step 3: Follow the Installation Wizard
- Click Continue to begin.
- Read the software license agreement and click Agree.
- Select the destination disk for installation (usually Macintosh HD).
- Click Install.
You may be prompted to enter your Mac’s administrator password—enter it and proceed.
Step 4: Wait for Installation to Complete
- The installer will now copy all necessary files.
- This process typically takes 5–10 minutes depending on your system speed.
- Once done, you’ll see Installation was successful.
Click Close to exit the installer.
Step 5: Activate Microsoft Office 2016
Now that the software is installed, let’s activate it:
- Open any Office application, e.g., Word or Excel.
- A window will prompt you to Sign in to activate Office.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account you used to purchase the product.
- Enter your 25-character product key if prompted (provided via email or post-purchase page).
- Once verified, Office will activate and you can start using it.
Step 6: Check for Updates
It’s good practice to update Office after installation:
- Open any Office application.
- Click Help > Check for Updates.
- Select Automatically Download and Install if you want Office to stay up to date.
Even though Office 2016 is not actively supported with feature updates, security patches might still be available.
Post-Installation Tips for Smooth Usage
1. Pin Office Apps to Dock
- Open the application (e.g., Word).
- Right-click its icon in the Dock and choose Options > Keep in Dock.
2. Set Default File Formats
- By default, Office may use older formats. Go to Preferences > Save and choose newer formats (e.g., .docx, .xlsx).
3. Outlook Configuration
- Set up your email accounts via Outlook > Preferences > Accounts.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
Issue 1: “Office Cannot Be Installed on This Version of macOS”
- Check your macOS version and ensure it’s 10.10 or newer.
- If using macOS Catalina or newer, Office 2016 might have compatibility quirks but can run.
Issue 2: “Product Key Not Working”
- Make sure you’re entering the correct key without typos.
- Verify that you’re using the same Microsoft account used during purchase.
Issue 3: Office Apps Not Launching
- Reboot your Mac and try again.
- Use Disk Utility to repair disk permissions.
- Reinstall Office if the issue persists.
How to Uninstall Office 2016 on Mac
If you need to uninstall:
- Go to Applications folder.
- Drag Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote to Trash.
- Empty Trash.
- Remove additional files from:
- ~/Library/Preferences/
- ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/
- /Library/Fonts/Microsoft/
Benefits of Office 2016 Over Office 365
| Feature | Office 2016 | Office 365 |
| Cost | One-time payment | Ongoing subscription |
| Internet Requirement | Optional | Required for full features |
| Cloud Storage | No | Yes (OneDrive) |
| Updates | Security only | Frequent feature updates |
| Licensing | Per Device | Per User (multiple devices) |
Using Office 2016 with macOS Monterey and Beyond
Though designed for older systems, many users report Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016 works on macOS Monterey and Ventura with Rosetta 2. However, for the best experience on newer Macs (especially M1/M2), consider future upgrades if issues persist.
FAQ
Q1: Can I install Office 2016 on macOS Ventura or Sonoma?
Office 2016 is not officially supported beyond macOS Catalina. However, it may still work with minor limitations on newer systems.
Q2: Can I install on multiple Macs?
Office Home & Business 2016 is licensed for one Mac per purchase unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Q3: What if I forget my product key?
Check your email receipt or the GameCardShop account dashboard if you purchased from there.
Q4: Is Microsoft Office 2016 still safe to use?
Yes, but it’s recommended to avoid opening unfamiliar documents due to discontinued security updates.
Q5: Can I upgrade from Office 2016 to a newer version later?
Yes. You can purchase newer versions like Office 2019 or subscribe to Microsoft 365 at any time.
