Hey, I recently migrated from an MBP 2019 to a new MBP 2023, and now I'm unable to edit Office 365 files on my new MacBook Pro using the desktop app. Whenever I attempt to make modifications, I get an error message stating, "Your account doesn't allow editing on a Mac." How can I resolve this problem? - from Apple Community

The issue of not being able to edit on a Mac can disrupt work and restrict your capability to modify important files. This problem might arise due to various reasons, including software issues, licensing concerns, or corrupted data.

Fortunately, there are a few straightforward methods to address this issue and regain editing access on your Mac. By examining the six simple remedies outlined below, you can effectively solve the problem and resume your editing tasks. Let's explore these solutions to fix the account that prevents editing issues on your Mac and ensure a seamless workflow and productivity.

1. Troubleshoot "Account Doesn't Allow Editing" on Mac with Document Repair Software

When faced with an annoying account that prevents you from editing issues on your Mac, an effective solution is to utilize file repair software like Fixo File Repair tools.

This Microsoft Office Repair Software for Mac is a robust program that tackles various issues with Office files and repairs corrupted files on Mac. Be it inaccessible, damaged, or files displaying error messages that prevent editing, Fixo Document Repair provides an all-encompassing solution.

以下是该文档修复工具可以完美处理的一些常见情况:

You can follow the steps outlined here to repair damaged files and resolve the account issue that prevents editing on your Mac:

Step 1. Launch Document Repair Software

Launch the Fixo Document Repair tool. Select "File Repair" from the left panel. This software enables you to repair damaged Office files, including Word, Excel, PDF, and others.

macfixo document repair step 1

**Step 2. Choose and Repair Corrupted Document**

Click "Repair All" to fix all the added documents. If you want to repair a single document, hover your mouse over the target document and click "Repair." You can preview the repaired document by clicking the eye icon.

macfixo document repair step 2

Step 3. Preview and Save the Repaired Document

Once the repair process is complete, click "Save" to save the selected document. You can also click "Save All" to save all repaired documents. To find the repaired folder, click "View Repaired."

macfixo document repair step 3

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2. Check the Office 365 License to Resolve 'Account Forbidden to Edit' on Mac

When encountering the "account forbids editing" error on your Mac while using Office 365, check your license status. Verifying your Office 365 subscription ensures that no licensing issues could be causing the editing error. This solution is also applicable when you receive the error "you can't make this change because the selection is locked."

Steps for Checking Office 365 License: 1. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Open a web browser and navigate to the URL `https://admin.microsoft.com`. Enter your admin credentials to log in. 2. Access the Admin Center Dashboard: Once logged in, you'll land on the Admin Center dashboard. This page provides an overview of your organization's services. 3. Select "Users": On the left-hand navigation pane, click on the "Users" option. This will take you to a list of all users in your organization. 4. Choose "Active Users": Under the "Users" section, select "Active Users." This will display a list of all active users with their license details. 5. View License Information: Scroll through the user list or use the search bar to find the specific user whose license you want to check. Look for the "Licenses and apps" column. Click on the "Edit" button next to the user's name to view their assigned licenses. 6. Check Assigned Licenses: A pop-up window will appear showing the licenses assigned to that user. Here, you can see if they have an Office 365 license and which specific plan they are subscribed to. 7. Confirm Activation: To ensure the license is activated, check if the user has access to Office 365 applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. They should be able to log in and use these apps online or via desktop installations. 8. Repeat for Additional Users: If needed, repeat steps 5-7 for other users to verify their Office 365 license status. Remember, the interface might slightly vary depending on the updates made by Microsoft, but the general process remains the same.

Step 1. Access portal.office.com through any internet browser.

Step 2. Select "My Account" and then navigate to the Subscription section.

Step 3. Search for Office 365 in the list of subscriptions.

check Microsoft subscription

Step 4. If your Office 365 subscription appears, you have the necessary license and can proceed. If not, ensure you're signed in with the correct account.

Steps to Ensure Your License Doesn't Have Issues:

Step 1. Open any Office applications that are installed on your Mac.

Step 2. Click on the application's name menu (for instance, Word or Excel) and select "Sign Out." Lastly, close the program.

Step 3. In Finder, click on "Go" and select "Go to Folder."

Step 4. Type ~/Library in the search bar and press Enter.

ope -libraries folder

Step 5. Open the "Group Containers" folder and locate the folders named ms, UBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWebHost, and UBF8T346G9.Office.

Open the Group Containers folder. open the group containers folder

Step 6. Move these folders and their associated files to the Trash.

Step 7. Empty the Trash, then launch any Office application to see if you can now edit files.

Note: After removing the previous Office directories, you can reactivate Microsoft Office if your license is in question.

3. Resolve the Issue of Not Allowing Editing on Mac by Activating Office

If you encounter the "Account Doesn't Allow Editing" error on your Mac despite having a valid Office 365 subscription, reactivating Office might resolve the issue. Here's how to activate Office and edit documents without any difficulties:

Step 1. Go to Finder, then click on Applications. Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac.

Step 2. Go to the File tab, click on New from Template, and then hit the "Sign-in" button.

Sign in with Microsoft Office

Step 3. Enter the email address linked to your Microsoft Account. Input the password, and Microsoft will verify if you have a valid license.

Step 4. Wait for Office to fully activate before you start using the apps to see if you can now edit documents without issues.

4. Reset Microsoft to Default to Solve 'Account Doesn't Allow Editing' on a Mac

Resetting Microsoft Word to its default settings on a Mac could be a helpful solution when you encounter issues with your account not allowing editing.

Step 1. Open the "Library" folder on your Mac, where Word's settings are stored.

Step 2. Locate and open the "Preferences" folder within the Library directory.

Delete Word Preferences

Step 3. Find and delete the Word preference file, which usually starts with com.microsoft.Word.plist.

Step 4. To permanently delete the preference file, empty the Trash.

Step 5. Restart Microsoft Word to create a new settings file with the default options.

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5. Clear Caches, Logs, and Junk Files to Fix 'Account Refuses Editing' Issue on a Mac

Clearing system storage, logs, and garbage files might help resolve issues when your account prevents editing on a Mac. Over time, Mac applications create cache files that can lead to performance problems like freezing or crashes.

Step 1. To open a "Finder" window, click the "Finder" icon on the Dock.

Step 2. In the menu bar, click on "Go" and then select "Go to Folder."

Step 3. Type ~/Library/Caches/ into the Go to Folder box and press Enter.

Step 4. Select the "Caches" folder from the options that appear.

go to caches folder

Step 5. Find the folder that corresponds to the program causing the issue.

Step 6. Right-click the folder and select "Move to Bin" from the context menu.

Step 7. Lastly, choose "Empty Bin" to permanently delete the folder and its contents.

Important: After completing these steps, try signing in to your account again to check if the issue persists.

FAQs on "Your Account Doesn't Allow Editing on a Mac"

以下是用户在遇到“账户不允许在Mac上编辑”问题时可能会搜索的一些常见查询:

1. How do I resolve the issue with my Mac account that prevents editing?

To resolve this issue, you can try repairing Microsoft Office files, verifying Office 365 licenses, activating Office, resetting Microsoft settings, or deleting caches and temporary files.

2. How do I enable Office 365 to edit on my Mac?

Maintain an active and valid Office 365 subscription. Validate and activate your Office 365 license through the Microsoft Office website or the app settings. After activating Office, document editing on your Mac should be unrestricted.

3. Why can't I edit my PowerPoint?

PowerPoint might restrict editing due to licensing issues, file corruption, or program configurations. Repair PowerPoint files, confirm your Office 365 subscription status, and reset PowerPoint settings to default. Update your Mac's operating system and Office applications to prevent compatibility issues.

Conclusion

Resolving issues like being unable to edit on a Mac due to account restrictions can be challenging, but with the right tools, these problems can be successfully tackled. This can be achieved through file repair utilities, verifying Office 365 licenses, activating Office, resetting Microsoft to its default state, and clearing caches and junk files. Each approach targets different potential sources of the issue, equipping users with a comprehensive set of solutions to address editing difficulties on their Mac. Additionally, utilizing tools like Fixo File Repair can more effectively address file-related issues.