FAQ 113 Can I run GVA or Feasibility software on my Apple MAC?

Apple/Mac M1 Processors and the GVA Program.

The M1 (ARM) processor supplied with some Apple/Mac computers has limited functionality and is essential the same processor found in phones and tablets.

The full Windows version of Microsoft Office which is required for the GVA program will not currently run on the M1 or ARM processor as far as I am aware.

The only versions of Microsoft Office that will run with the M1 are those which are available for phones and tablets and have limited functionality.

However, Microsoft have said that changes are being made that will allow full versions of Office products to run on systems with the M1 processor.

Unfortunately, they have not been clear about what they mean by Full Versions of Office.

There would appear to be limitations that prevent Visual Basic Macros (VBA) from running on the M1 and the GVA and UREFS programs uses these macros extensively.

I found this during my research.

https://insider.office.com/en-us/blog/64-bit-office-for-windows-on-arm

Based on what I read here, there is a solution although it is only available to members of their insider program.

I suspect it will be rolled out for general use at some point in the future. Whether it will be rolled out with VBA programming capability is unknown.

Until that happens any system with an M1 (or ARM) processor is nothing more than a tablet and is unsuitable to run the GVA or UREFS Feasibility programs.

If there are any Apple/Mac users with an M1 system currently using the GVA or UREFS program successfully, please contact me( John Bone) – your assistance would be greatly appreciated.