Updated April 2025: Stop these error messages and fix common problems with this tool. Get it now at this link
Microsoft Office is the first name that comes to mind when talking about office automation. It offers a wide range of applications that allow users to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and even exchange e-mail. Microsoft Office is a well-established application used by thousands of businesses around the world.
However, if you are a regular Office 365 user, you may already know that Microsoft Office is prone to bugs. Sometimes applications like Word and Excel become unresponsive and fail when we need them most.
Recently, several users reported that their Microsoft Office account was preventing them from editing files on their MacBook. If you’ve encountered a similar problem, you’ve come to the right place.
This guide will help you fix the editing error in just a few steps. Don’t worry, the methods are simple, and even if you’re a technophobe, you’ll get it right.
Table of Contents:
What causes the Microsoft Office “Account doesn’t Allow Editing” error on a Mac?
- The software’s ability to determine the correct licenses, which prevents users from editing documents.
- The Microsoft team has also identified the role of certain files in causing such an error. This article describes methods for removing these files and fixing the error.
Before proceeding with the following steps, click “Use a different account” and log back into your account.
How to resolve the Microsoft Office “Account doesn’t allow editing” error on a Mac?
This tool is highly recommended to help you fix your error. Plus, this tool offers protection against file loss, malware, and hardware failures, and optimizes your device for maximum performance. If you already have a problem with your computer, this software can help you fix it and prevent other problems from recurring:
Updated: April 2025
Verify your Office 365 license
- Open the Office 365 sign-in page in your browser.
- Sign in to Office 365
- Click your profile in the upper-right corner of the Office 365 portal.
- Click My Account in the sidebar
- Click Subscriptions on the left side of the window.
- Then in the Licenses section, make sure that you have the latest version of Office for desktops installed.
Deleting the group container files
- Make sure that you have logged out of your MS Office 365 account.
- Then open the Library folder. This folder contains a subfolder called Group Container.
- Click on Group Container to open this subfolder.
- Then choose to delete the following files: UBF8T346G9.ms, UBF8T346G9.Office, and UBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWebHost.
- Right-click and select Move to Trash to delete these files.
Reinstalling Office 365
- In the Mac dock, click Finder.
- Select the Mac platform under Devices, then click Applications.
- Press Command to select all MS Office applications.
- Press the Ctrl key and click the selected MS Office applications.
- Then select the Move to trash option.
- After that, reinstall and re-enable the MS Office package.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I edit a Word document on my Mac?
The problem is as follows: The program's ability to determine the correct licenses, which prevents users from editing their documents. The Microsoft team also pointed out the role of certain files is causing the problem.
How do I turn on editing a Word document on my Mac?
- Go to the File -> About menu.
- Select Protect Document.
- Select Enable Editing.
How do I turn on editing in Excel on a Mac?
A message bar appears at the top of the document asking you to allow editing. Click the "Enable Editing" button. The document will now open in read-only mode, with some content disabled. Save the document elsewhere so you can edit it effectively.
Why won’t my Office account allow me to edit on my Mac?
The "Your account won't allow you to edit on Mac" warning in Office 365 may be caused by broken or outdated permissions. You can try to fix this problem with a free third-party tool. Download a free copy of this application (notarized version for Apple). Launch the application and click Maintenance.