What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a collection of productivity software, giving you online and offline access to popular programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more! Learn more from Microsoft.
- If you do not want to download and install the desktop version of an app, you can use web version in your browser instead. See the article, Microsoft 365: Online Access.
Who has access?
Access to Microsoft 365 is only available to current Columbus State Students and Employees. New students can install Microsoft apps on a personal computer beginning on the first day of the semester. When you are no longer enrolled in CSCC courses or stop receiving a CSCC paycheck, the Microsoft 365 applications installed on your device become inactive (read-only).
How do I install Microsoft 365?
Video Instructions:
New Students - You can install Microsoft 365 apps on a personal computer through your CSCC email account beginning on the first day of the semester.
Written Instructions:
1. To download Office 365, open a web browser, such as Chrome or Firefox.
2. Navigate to microsoft365.com. If you are not already logged in, select Sign in to proceed.
3. Log in using your Columbus State email address.
- Student - username@student.cscc.edu
- Employee - username@cscc.edu
4. When prompted, enter your Columbus State password and select Sign in (this is the same password you use for Self-Service and Blackboard.
- If you are enrolled in MFA, you may have to authenticate.
5. Select Apps in the left navigation pane.
6. In the top-right corner, select Install Apps, then choose Microsoft 365 apps in the drop-down menu.
7. Let the installer download. Then, open the installer and follow the installation wizard to complete the process.
For device-specific installation instructions, select your operating system below for next steps:
Windows
Install Office
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Depending on your browser, select Run (in Edge or Internet Explorer), Setup (in Chrome), or Save File (in Firefox).
If you see the User Account Control prompt that says, Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? select Yes.
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Your install is finished when you see the phrase, "You're all set! Office is installed now" and an animation plays to show you where to find Office applications on your computer. Select Close.
Installation or sign in issues?
If you're having an installation issue such as Office taking long to install, try Need help? for a list of common issues.
Activate Office
Note: no product key is needed for activation. Instead, you will log in with your current Columbus State credentials to verify your license.
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To open an Office app, select the Start button (lower-left corner of your screen) and type the name of an Office app, like Word.
If you have Windows 8.1 or 8.0, type the name of an Office app on the Start screen. Can't find your Office apps?
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To open the Office app, select its icon in the search results.
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When the Office app opens, accept the license agreement. Office is activated and ready to use.
Note: The Activation Wizard appears if Office has trouble activating. Complete the steps in the wizard to finish activating Office
macOS
Install Microsoft 365
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Once the download has completed, open Finder, go to Downloads, and double-click Microsoft 365 installer.pkg file (the name might vary slightly).
Tip: If you see an error that says the Microsoft 365 installer.pkg can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer, wait 10 seconds and move the downloaded file to your desktop. Hold Control + click the file to launch the installer.
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On the first installation screen, select Continue to begin the installation process.
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Review the software license agreement, and then click Continue.
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Select Agree to agree to the terms of the software license agreement.
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Choose how you want to install Office and click Continue.
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Review the disk space requirements or change your install location, and then click Install.
Note: If you want to only install specific Office apps and not the entire suite, click the Customize button and uncheck the programs you don't want.
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Enter your Mac login password, if prompted, and then click Install Software. (This is the password that you use to log in to your Mac.)
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The software begins to install. Click Close when the installation is finished. If Office installation fails, see What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac.
Installation questions
- How do I pin the Office app icons to the dock?
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Go to Finder > Applications and open the Office app you want.
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In the Dock, Control+click or right-click the app icon and choose Options > Keep in Dock.
- Can I install Office on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, see Install and set up Office on an iPhone or iPad and set up email on an iOS device (iPhone or iPad).
No product key is needed for activation. Instead, you will log in with your current Columbus State credentials to verify your license.
Other resources
Once you have Office 365 installed, check out these other resources to learn more about Microsoft Office software:
Pronouns:
Add pronouns to your profile in Microsoft 365 to let others know how to refer to you.
Learn more about Pronouns in Microsoft 365