Office Apps on Mac

drjohn67

I bought Office for Mac programme (lifetime) a few years ago. I have also paid for the Apps on my iPad.
Perhaps after a recent update, the Office programmes have suddenly been stripped back to the read-only option unless I subscribe to the service.
Is this something new?
Seems unfair as I have purchased 2 separate 'lifetime' versions.
I don't care about the latest cloud or whatever functionality - it is just personal use eg writing a letter or a simple spreadsheet, not complex photo or video editing where new functionality can be significant. 
 

DullGreyGuy

When did you buy the iPad version? 

Even in 2019 your only option for iOS/iPadOS was a subscription to get full features, dont recall there ever being a one of fee option.

Have you signed in to your MS account on the devices? I know mine occasionally losses the fact I'm logged in.

If all you want is a simple letter or spreadsheet why bother with MS Office at all and not use Pages & Numbers as Apple's own versions which are free and are kept up to date?

drjohn67

It was before 2019. It was on a CD disc.
I use Pages and numbers. Occasionally official correspondence with government agencies or when I sent a CV for review they require a word document and the reformatting from Pages is slightly suboptimal. I will try the product once the programmes download again.

Seems like I bought the CD twice in the past and a Volume Licensing Product (NHS and military) on 2 occasions.
:-) 

MikeJXE

I had the same problem with office for mac so now I'm getting on ok with pages and numbers

You could try OpenOffice 

Undervalued

MikeJXE said:

I had the same problem with office for mac so now I'm getting on ok with pages and numbers

You could try OpenOffice 

You can also use Microsoft Office online for free just by logging in to your Microsoft Account. Maybe that would be adequate?

drjohn67

Thanks.

I have opted to use pages then convert to PDF or if pushed to a word document afterwards

Grandad2b

I used to do tech support in a Windows environment. Consequently I won't touch any MS applications. I never really got to grips with Pages or Numbers but I find LibreOffice does most (but not all) of the MS equivalents.