Summary
Explains how to fix Microsoft 365 (Office) apps such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote that will not open on a Bowdoin-issued Mac, often after an update. The fix is to reinstall Microsoft Office 365 from Self Service, which does not delete any of your data.
Body
Issues
- I can't open Outlook on my Mac; I get an error message.
- Microsoft Word doesn't open on my Mac laptop.
- I can't get Excel to open on my Bowdoin-issued Mac laptop.
- I just updated Outlook on my Mac and now it won't open. How do I fix it?
- My Microsoft 365 apps stopped opening after an update.
Environment
- Students, staff, or faculty with a Bowdoin-issued Mac.
- One or more Microsoft 365 (Office) apps that will not open, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or OneNote, often after a recent update.
Resolution
A recent Microsoft 365 update can sometimes leave the Office apps in a state where they will not open. Reinstalling Microsoft Office 365 from Self Service replaces the affected apps with a fresh copy and resolves the problem.
Note: Reinstalling Microsoft Office 365 does not delete any of your data or documents.
- Make sure all of your Office apps are closed, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote.
- Open the Self Service app from your Applications folder.
- Search for Microsoft Office 365.
- Select Reinstall (or Install) under the logo.
- Wait a few minutes while Self Service removes the broken version of Office 365 and installs the newest version. A progress circle appears under the logo in the Self Service app.
- Once the link says Reinstall again, the installation is complete. Try opening one of your Office apps.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.