14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Office for Mac users have a new update to grab, and are encouraged to do so as it addresses some security issues, besides bringing new enhancements. The update is free to all users of Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac. Office 2004 owners have their very own update to download and install as well, while the Open XML File Format Converter has also been updated.
According to Mactopia, the Microsoft Office 2008 Update “contains several improvements to enhance stability and performance.” The package also includes “fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code,” the same source reveals. The update is aimed at owners of the following Microsoft applications for Mac: Office 2008, Office 2008 Home and Student Edition, Office 2008 Special Media Edition, Word 2008, Excel 2008, PowerPoint 2008, Entourage 2008.
There are two ways to update your copy of Office for Mac. Either use the AutoUpdate mechanism (similar to Apple's Software Updater) that comes with Office, or download the standalone installer package (available below), in which case you will have to follow these instructions exactly:
Microsoft Office 2008 Update 12.1.2
Microsoft Office 2004 Update 11.5.2
NOTE: Before you install this update, make sure that the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Service Pack 1 (12.1.0) is installed on your computer.
1 - double-click the file that you just downloaded using one of the links provided above to place the Office 2008 12.1.3 / Office 2004 Update 11.5.2 Update volume on your desktop.
2 - double-click the Office 2008 12.1.3 Update / Office 2004 Update 11.5.2 volume to open it (if you are using Safari to download your files, this step might be performed for you automatically).
3 - in the Office 2008 12.1.3 Update / Office 2004 Update 11.5.2 volume window, double-click the Office 2008 12.1.3 Update application, and follow the instructions on the screen.
That's it!
If the installation is successful, you can remove the update installer from your hard disk. If not, better make sure that Microsoft Office 2008 / 2004 is located in your Applications folder. If it is at another location on your computer, move it to the Applications folder, and then try installing the update again.
System requirements for MS Office 2008 for Mac call for OS X 10.4.9 (Tiger) or later. MS Office 2004 for Mac needs at least Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later to run.