MS16-029: Description of the security update for Office 2016 for Mac: March 16, 2016

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Office file. To learn more about these vulnerabilities, see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-029. Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac includes versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook that are designed for the Mac and yet are unmistakably Office. The March 16, 2016, update provides fixes for issues in the Office 2016 for Mac Suite that affect Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

Notes

• To install this update, you must be running OS X Yosemite 10.10 or a later version, and you must have a valid Microsoft Office 365 subscription. Additionally, see more information about Office 365 subscription options.
• If you already have Office for Mac 2011 installed, you can run Office for Mac 2011 and Office 2016 for Mac side-by-side. If you want to remove Office for Mac 2011, see Uninstall Office 2011 for Mac.
• If you are prompted for a password when you install this update, enter the administrator password on Mac OS X. For more information, see Mac OS X: Software installations require administrator password.

For a complete list of affected versions of Microsoft Office software, see KB 3141806.

Improvements and fixes

This update provides the following fixes and improvements:

• Word

  • Word now fully supports Arabic and Hebrew. This includes right-to-left layout and editing.

• PowerPoint

  • PowerPoint now fully supports Arabic and Hebrew. This includes right-to-left layout and editing.

• Excel

  • Add-ins such as Solver just got better. Use the grid to select cells for any add-in.
  • Excel now fully supports Arabic and Hebrew. This includes right-to-left layout and editing.