As of my last update in September 2021, Microsoft Excel is a part of the Microsoft Office suite of applications and requires a valid license to use. If you are encountering an " Excel unlicensed product" error or message in Excel, it means that your copy of Microsoft Office or Excel is not activated or the license has expired.

Here are some common scenarios and steps to resolve the issue:

Trial Version Expired:

If you were using a trial version of Microsoft Office or Excel, it might have expired. To continue using Excel, you need to purchase a valid license or subscription.

Activation Issue:

Sometimes, activation issues can occur due to various reasons, such as connectivity problems or problems with the activation process. Try the following steps to activate Excel:
a. Open Excel and click on "Activate" or "Sign In" if prompted.
b. Sign in with your Microsoft account associated with your Office subscription.
c. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation process.

License Transfer:

 If you have switched computers or devices and are trying to use the same license on a different machine, you may encounter issues. Ensure that you are using the same Microsoft account on the new device or transfer the license properly.

Update Office: Ensure that your Microsoft Office suite is up-to-date. Sometimes, updating Office can resolve activation-related issues.

Contact Microsoft Support:

 If you have a valid license or subscription but are still facing issues, it's best to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

conclusion:

Remember, using unlicensed software is against the terms of service and illegal. It's essential to obtain a valid license to use Microsoft Excel and any other software legally. If you are facing any licensing issues or have questions regarding your specific case, contacting Microsoft support or the vendor from which you purchased the software is the best course of action.