When it comes to installing and updating Office applications on your Mac, you may have a few options available to you. One option is to download Office directly from Microsoft, while another is to purchase it through the Mac App Store.

Microsoft 365, Office 2019, and Office 2016 all use the same application and file names, so you may have multiple versions of Office installed on your Mac. However, if you download Office from the Mac App Store, you will only receive updates for that specific version of Office, rather than receiving updates for other Microsoft apps that you may have installed.

If you download Office directly from Microsoft, you can use Microsoft AutoUpdate to keep your existing apps up-to-date. This is because Microsoft AutoUpdate is used specifically to provide updates for apps that you download directly from Microsoft. On the other hand, if you purchase Office through the Mac App Store, you will not be able to use Microsoft AutoUpdate.

So, should you download Office from the Mac App Store? The answer depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking to upgrade an older version of Office, such as Office 2016 for Mac, you may want to consider downloading the latest version directly from Microsoft.

One important thing to keep in mind is that the apps available through the Mac App Store are not compatible with Office 2019 licenses, so if you own a perpetual release of Office 2019, you will not be able to download and install it through the app store.

A Microsoft 365 subscription provides always up-to-date versions of Office apps and access to additional premium features and services. This can be a great option for those who want to ensure that they have the latest version of Office installed on their Mac at all times.

It's also worth noting that OneNote and OneDrive do not require a Microsoft 365 subscription, but some premium features may require one. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, on the other hand, require a Microsoft 365 subscription to activate.

Finally, if you are looking for the latest version of Office available through the Mac App Store, you can download it from there. The apps available through the app store provide the very latest version of Office on the Mac, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and OneDrive.

Overall, the choice to download Office directly from Microsoft or through the Mac App Store depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you want to ensure that you have the latest version of Office installed on your Mac at all times, downloading it directly from Microsoft may be the best option for you. However, if you are looking for a one-time purchase option, purchasing Office through the Mac App Store may be the way to go.

For more information about Microsoft 365 subscriptions and pricing, click here.

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