I can't edit a word document. I own a license

If you are unable to edit a Word document on your Mac despite owning a license, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check User Licenses: Ensure that your Microsoft 365 license is properly assigned. You can do this by checking in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center under Users > Active users. Make sure your license is assigned and active.
2. Sign Out and Sign Back In: Open an Office app like Word, sign out of your account, and then sign back in. Ensure that you are using your Work or School account, not a personal Microsoft account.
3. Use the Mac License Removal Tool: If there are issues with the license files, you may need to remove them. You can find instructions on how to do this in the Microsoft support documentation.
4. Uninstall and Reinstall Office for Mac: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider uninstalling Office for Mac and then reinstalling it. This can help fix any underlying issues with the installation.

By following these steps, you should be able to regain editing capabilities in your Word document.

Hi @Jeffrey Hansen 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Based on your description, it looks like Word on your Mac isn’t allowing you to edit the document.  

To help narrow down the issue, please provide more information: 

-Your macOS version 

To check, please click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen > About This Mac > check the version name. 

-Your Microsoft Word version and license: Open PowerPoint > About PowerPoint.  

-What exactly happens when you try to edit the document? Does Word show the file as Read‑Only, Protected View, or does it simply not allow typing with no message at all? 

In the meantime, you can also try some general troubleshooting steps listed here: Word for Mac document stops responding when you try to open a document - Microsoft Support. 

Please know that while our initial response might not resolve the issue right away, your input is incredibly valuable. With a bit more detail, we’ll work together to find the best solution for you.  

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