How do students access Microsoft 365 from their personal computer?

Overview

This article explains the steps for students to use Microsoft Office on the web, as well as using add-ins, downloading, activating, and updating Office. 

How do I access Microsoft Office on the web? (Students)

  1. Go to Office.com
  2. Log in to Microsoft with your Bucknell email and Bucknell Password or select your school email address if displayed
    Microsoft Sign in with email fieldMicrosoft Sign in with password field
     
  3. You may choose to stay signed in to reduce the number of times you are asked to sign in or you may say no. 
    Stayed sign in option
     
  4. You will arrive at M365 Copilot. On the left side Menu select Apps
    Microsoft 365 Copilot page with Apps tab on the left side of the screen
     
  5. You can select Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which will open in the web. 
    List of apps offered with Microsoft 365

How do I install add-ins like Analytic Solver when using M365 in the web?

  1. Open the web application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) that you need to add the add-in to. 
  2. In the search bar, type Add-in (step 1 in the image below)
  3. Click on Add-in or select the expanding arrow to the right (step 2 in the image below)
  4. Type the name of the add-in and select from the list of results (step 3 in the image below)
    Microsoft Excel with Add-in typed in the search bar; Add-in setting is displayed as a list of actions and an option to search for the add-ins to add

*Note: additional purchases may be required to use some add-ins in full

How do I download MS Office to my personal computer?

While the online version of MS365 should offer the same functionality as the downloaded version, your preference may be to use the downloaded version for offline use. Please follow the instructions below. Note: Microsoft reserves the right to change licensing at any time, which may exclude the download option. 

  1. Please visit Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac article from Microsoft
  2. Scroll down to the section titled Sign in to download and install Microsoft 365 or Office
  3. Select Install on a PC or Install on a Mac
    Sign in to download and install Microsoft 365 or Office for PC or Mac options
  4. Follow the steps outlined by Microsoft to complete the installation of Office on your personal computer. 

The downloaded copy of Office needs to be activated

It is not uncommon for Microsoft to do a check on the license and ask you to activate it. Please follow the steps below to reactivate Office

  1. Click on Activate
  2. Sign in with your Bucknell email and password
  3. If Office removes the activation banner or you can use key functions again, you are good to go. If you still receive the activation error, please stop by the Tech Desk. 

Why are key functions in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint no longer working?

If you suddenly cannot save or use other functions within Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, it may be that your downloaded copy of Office needs an update. 

PC

For instructions on updating Office on a PC, please visit the How to update Microsoft 365 or Office for Windows Microsoft article

Mac

For instructions on updating Office on a Mac, please visit the Update Office for Mac automatically Microsoft article

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