How To Know What Version Of Microsoft Office I Have

It’s not obvious how to know what version of Microsoft Office you are running.

This is because Microsoft has put the details in a different place than most other desktop applications. This article will show you how to find the version in all the different Office applications.

How To Check The Version Of Microsoft Word

Follow these steps to see the version of Microsoft Word that you are using:

  1. Open Microsoft Word
  2. Click on File in the top menu
  3. Select the Account menu item near the bottom of the left pane

The version of Microsoft Office is in the righthand section of the main window.

The version of Microsoft Word is listed under “About Word”.

What Version Of Microsoft Excel Do I Have?

Follow these steps to see the version of Microsoft Excel you have installed:

  1. Open Microsoft Excel
  2. Click on File in the top menu
  3. Select the Account menu item near the bottom of the left pane

The version of Microsoft Office is in the righthand section of the main window.

The version of Microsoft Excel is listed under “About Excel”.

What Version Of Microsoft Office Do I Have?

Follow these steps to see the version of Microsoft Office that you have.

  1. Open any Office application e.g. Word or Excel
  2. Click on File in the top menu
  3. Select the Account menu item near the bottom of the left pane

The version of Microsoft Office is in the righthand section of the main window.

Checking The Version Of Other Microsoft Applications

I’ve given the step-by-step details for Word and Excel, but you may be using one of the other Microsoft applications:

  • Powerpoint
  • Outlook
  • OneNote

The steps are the same for these applications. Simply launch the application, and follow steps two and three from either of the instructions for Word or Excel above.

You can also follow the pictorial walkthrough below.

Pictorial Walkthrough To Find The Version Of Office Applications

Here is the step-by-step walkthrough in pictures:

Step 1: Click on File in the top menu bar

Step 2: Select “Account” near the bottom of the list

The picture below is truncated as there is a long list of menu items.

Step 3: Check the version in the main window

Why Is It Difficult To Tell The Version Of Microsoft Office?

I wrote this article because every time I wanted to check the version, I’d waste time looking at the Help options and trying to figure out where the version is displayed.

Don’t feel bad if you’ve done the same. The fault is with Microsoft, not with you!

The problem is that most applications have displayed the version in the same place since the dawn of time (well, the dawn of desktop computers).

It’s usually accessed via an “About” link under the Help menu.

From Office 2013 onwards, Microsoft moved the version information to a place that seems a little strange. Why would I look at my account in order to see the version of the software? It makes no sense.

Are You Using A Very Old Version Of Microsoft Office?

The instructions above apply to versions of Microsoft Office that are later than Office 2013.

If you don’t see the same File drop-down menu, then you are using a version of Office that is 2010 or older.

Try these methods in turn…

Click on the File menu and select Help on the top left of the screen. If you are using Office 2010, then the version information is now displayed on the screen.

Still not seeing a version number?

Oldest versions

Then you are using Office 2007 or older, and the version is almost separate from the application. Click on the “Office” button and choose “Options”.

You will see a dialogue box with a button for “Resources”. From there, you’ll find the About button which will show the version details.

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