Editing Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac

Microsoft Office 2019 update 16.78.3 (23102801) is the last functional version of Office 2019 (perpetual) for Mac. If automatic updates are on as recommended by Microsoft, Office apps will continue to update, but will be unable to open/edit documents properly. Instead of opening documents, the user will be presented a screen telling them that Office 2019 is no longer supported and directing them to purchase Office 365. All Office applications will be unable to function, open, or edit documents.


This applies to consumer perpetual (Home and Student, Business, etc.) and volume license Office 2019 which were sold as a one-time purchase (rather than the subscription-based Office 365).


Users of this application will be unable to speak with Microsoft about the issue, as the product is out of support. The steps below sometimes work, however one should have their original license key available in case it is required. Also note, Office 2019 update 16.78.3 is functional on Sequoia 15.2.

# Move all Microsoft Office apps to the trash
# Locate ~/Library/Containers and move the following to the trash:
## com.microsoft.errorreporting
## com.microsoft.Excel
## com.microsoft.netlib.shipassertprocess
## com.microsoft.Office365ServiceV2
## com.microsoft.Outlook
## com.microsoft.Powerpoint
## com.microsoft.RMS-XPCService
## com.microsoft.Word
## com.microsoft.OneNote
# Locate ~/Library/Group Containers and move the following to the trash:
## UBF8T346G9.ms
## UBF8T346G9.Office
## UBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWebHost
# Empty the trash
# Visit https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac and download Office 2019 update 16.78.3
# Install the downloaded version of Office
# Test an office app
# If Office still redirects to purchasing Office 365, perform all the steps again, and use the License Removal Tool (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=849815)
# Once an Office app is verified functional, disable automatic updates
# The Microsoft updater can also be removed by deleting the update tool located here: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU


Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/uninstall-office-for-mac-eefa1199-5b58-43af-8a3d-b73dc1a8cae3

Reference: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/i-have-version-16783-on-mac-os-and-now-that-i-have/1de6852c-8130-4f5a-a4a8-af6f37747532

Reference: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/end-of-support-for-office-2019-for-mac-now-doesnt/680aa968-3be6-4531-b3d5-de028b3e9893?page=1