Hi Customer,
From the description, I understand that you have run into the issue when using Office 2011 for Mac installed from the Office 365 download portal(https://portal.microsoftonline.com/OLS/MySoftware.aspx). Sorry for the inconvenience brought to you.
Generally, after activating the Office software with the Office 365 ID and password, we can use the Office application no matter whether it is offline or online. I’d like to share this article with you for further instruction: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg702619.aspx
Regarding “The office software would not work” you mentioned, I’d like to confirm the situation is that you cannot open the application or you cannot edit the content in the document or else something. Do you get any messages? Providing the related screenshot for us is recommended. Please upload the screenshot by clicking Use rich formatting and selecting Insert Image.
Thanks,
Mandy Meng