The following information is provided to help you to activate your Microsoft Office system programs. For troubleshooting information, visit the site.In this article

What is Activation?

To continue to use all of the features of your product, you must activate the product. Microsoft Product Activation is a designed to verify that software products are legitimately licensed.

Activation works by verifying that the Product Key, which you must supply to install the product, is not in use on more personal computers than are permitted by the software license.

How do I activate my Microsoft Office programs?

When you start your Office program for the first time after installation, you are prompted to enter your Product Key, if you have not already done so during Setup.

Grace period Before you enter a valid Product Key, you can run the software up to 25 times. This is known as the grace period. During the grace period, certain features or programs may be enabled that are not included in the product you have purchased. After you enter a valid Product Key, you will see only the programs and features you have purchased.

Reduced Functionality mode After the grace period, if you have not entered a valid Product Key, the software goes into Reduced Functionality mode. In Reduced Functionality mode, your software behaves similarly to a viewer. You cannot save modifications to documents or create new documents, and functionality might be reduced. No existing files or documents are harmed in Reduced Functionality mode. After you enter your Product Key and activate your software, you will have full functionality for the programs and features you purchased.

Activate over the Internet

When you enter your valid Product Key, the Activation Wizard automatically runs. You can then activate your product over the Internet. Telephone activation is not available for Trial and Subscription versions.

The Activation Wizard automatically contacts the Microsoft licensing servers through your Internet connection. If you are using a valid Product Key that has not already been used for the allowed number of installations, your product is activated immediately.

When you activate over the Internet, your product ID (derived from the installation Product Key) is sent to Microsoft through an encrypted transfer. A response (the confirmation ID) is sent back to your computer to activate your product. If you choose to activate your product through the Internet and you are not already connected, the wizard alerts you that there is no connection.

How do I activate at a later time?

If you don't want to activate your copy of the software when you install it, you can activate it later.

  1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office system programs:

    Access, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word

    1. Click the Microsoft Office Button button image, and then click Program Name Options.
    2. Click Resources, and then click Activate.

    InfoPath, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Project, SharePoint Designer, or Visio

    • On the Help menu, click Activate Product.
  2. Follow the instructions in the Activation Wizard.

    If you have a problem with your activation, contact a customer service representative by using the telephone number provided in the wizard.

    Note Telephone support is not available for Trial and Subscription versions, so the wizard will not provide a telephone number for either of these.

How can I tell whether my software has already been activated?

  1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office system programs:

    Access, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word

    • Click the Microsoft Office Button button image, and then click Program Name Options.
    • Click Resources, and then click Activate.

    InfoPath, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Project, SharePoint Designer, or Visio

    • On the Help menu, click Activate Product.

  2. If your software is activated, you receive the following confirmation message:This product has already been activated.

    If your software is not activated, the Activation Wizard starts. Follow the instructions in the Activation Wizard.

What is a Subscription version?

A Subscription version is a fully functional product that can be used for a limited period of time and then renewed by using a new Product Key. If you do not renew your Subscription version, it runs in Reduced Functionality mode.

When can I renew my Subscription version?

When it is time to renew your Subscription version, you are prompted to renew when you start the product. You can renew the subscription anytime within the last month before the subscription expires. Typically you receive a new Product Key either from Microsoft or from an authorized reseller. When you renew your Subscription version, you also have the opportunity to convert to a Full nonsubscription version that you don't have to renew every time period. When you install the Full product, you are prompted to provide a Product Key that you already have or will purchase online.