How to sign in to Microsoft 365

You can sign in to Microsoft 365 via a web browser or via a Microsoft service like Word, Excel, Pow­er­Point or OneDrive. Ad­min­is­tra­tors sign in via the Admin Center to manage user accounts. Find out how the sign in process works.

How do I find the Microsoft 365 sign-in area?

You can access your Microsoft 365 account in a couple of ways. The most common way to find the Microsoft 365 sign in area is via the Microsoft website https://www.office.com. Since Microsoft is moving its ap­pli­ca­tions from Office 365 to Microsoft 365 as part of a major re­brand­ing effort, you’ll now be redi­rect­ed to https://www.microsoft365.com. Nothing will change in terms of ap­pli­ca­tions, Microsoft accounts, and plans.

You can also log in using the following login page: https://login.mi­crosoft­on­line.com.

How does the Microsoft 365 sign-in process work?

How you sign in will primarily depend on how you created your account. Here are your options:

Via a web browser

Step 1: Open the Microsoft website https://office.com/ and choose the profile icon in the top-right corner with the Sign in label. You can also select the Sign in button on the left side of the page.

Step 2: Enter your email address and password to sign in.

Step 3: Now select an app from the Microsoft 365 app launcher. Select the small tile icon in the top-left corner to see all apps. Here, you can easily open and switch between Microsoft apps in the browser.

As an admin

Step 1: To sign in as an ad­min­is­tra­tor and manage user accounts, open the Microsoft page https://admin.microsoft.com/ To sign in to the Admin Center, you’ll need your cre­den­tials.

Step 2: Enter your email address and password to sign in.

Step 3: In the Microsoft 365 app overview, choose an app that you want to use. The apps overview looks like a small tile icon and is located in the top-left corner. Here, you can easily open and switch between Microsoft apps in the browser.

Via Android or iOS

Step 1: Tap the Office app on your smart­phone to open it and go to Account. Then select Sign in.

Step 2: Enter your account details and select the app you want to use.

Via the installed desktop app

Step 1: Open an Office app installed on your PC or laptop, such as Word, and go to File in the top-left corner. Here, select Account and then Sign in.

Step 2: Sign in using your account details.

What do I need to sign in?

To sign in to Microsoft 365, you need a reg­is­tered Microsoft account, which can be a personal account, a uni­ver­si­ty or school account, or a business account. Basic Microsoft accounts are free. Costs only arise if you decide to buy Microsoft 365 as a one-time purchase or sign up for a premium plan. These are split into Personal and Family plans, but there are also plans for small, medium and large busi­ness­es. Each free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage. If you don’t have a Microsoft account yet, you can create one here: https://account.microsoft.com/.

What sign-in options are there?

When Microsoft prompts you to enter your cre­den­tials, the sign-in sequence can vary depending on whether you have two-step au­then­ti­ca­tion enabled. By default, you sign in with an email account and a secure password. With two-factor au­then­ti­ca­tion, you can sign in via a phone call, text message or Microsoft Au­then­ti­ca­tion app, virtually elim­i­nat­ing the pos­si­bil­i­ty for third-party access.

Which programs can I use after signing in?

With a free Microsoft account, you have access to the web app versions of some of the most important pro­duc­tiv­i­ty apps and Microsoft services. The range of apps available depends on the type of sub­scrip­tion you have. You can access the apps directly from your account via the apps overview.