Applies ToOffice 2024 Office 2021 Office 2019 Office 2016 Microsoft 365 for home

An Office product key uses a combination of 25 letters and numbers in this format:

XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Shows an example of an Office product key

Product keys include hyphens, but you can omit them when you enter your product key.

How to share your Microsoft 365 Family subscription with up to 5 other people

To allow other people to install Office, please share your subscription by email or link as described in How to share your Microsoft 365 Family subscription benefit.

Use your Microsoft account, not your product key, to install and activate Office

Use your Microsoft account, not your product key, to install and activate Office and individually purchased Office apps, such as Project, Visio, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

If you see the message "This product key has already been used" this means your product key has already been redeemed, and your Office product has been added to your Microsoft account. You don't need a product key to install or activate Office after it is added to your Microsoft account.

Sign in to install Office

Bookmark the site below so you always know where to go to install Office.

Services & subscriptions

Sign in to activate Office

If an Office app prompts you to activate, sign in with your Microsoft account instead of a product key.

Use the right Microsoft account

Make sure you sign in with the Microsoft account that you used to buy Office.

Find the account you use with Office

There are a few exceptions where you'll need to do something other than sign in.

  • If you bought Office Professional Plus, Visio Professional, or Project Professional through your employer's Microsoft Workplace Discount Program benefit (formerly known as the Home Use Program), you'll need your product key to activate Office on a PC. To get your product key, see Get your Workplace Discount Program product key.

  • If you're using a volume license version of Office Professional Plus at work, you'll need to contact your admin for a product key.

  • If you see a yellow or red banner in an Office app that says SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRED, you must renew your Microsoft 365 subscription to keep using Office. For help, see Renew Microsoft 365 Family.

  • If Office came pre-installed on your new Windows 10 device, and you see a yellow or red banner in an Office app that says PRODUCT NOTICE: Office hasn't been activated, you must start a new Microsoft 365 Home trial or buy Office. For help, see Activate Office.

I can't find my product key

Here's where to get help with your product key:

Contact support about my product key

If you’ve followed the guidance in this article and still need help, visit our Microsoft support page for assistance.

If you're a small business owner looking for more information on how to get Microsoft 365 set up, visit Small business help & learning.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.