Want to purchase new MacBook. Currently have a MacBook Pro with iWork software. Can I legally copy the licenses over to the new MacBook as I want to keep my MacBook Pro. Same question for Microsoft Excel and Word.

Excel and Word: No

iWork: Yes

You could use Excel and Word on the new MacBook only if you removed them from your current one. iWork, no problem, as Csound said.

It is a function of what you purchased, Dan Dee

Assuming you have Office 2011 this is what Microsoft says:

License information:

• Home and Business 1PK – Licensed for 1 Mac (1 User).
• Home and Business 2PK – Licensed for 1 user to install on 2 Macs.
• Home and Student 1PK – Licensed for home and student use on 1 Mac.
• Home and Student Family Pack - Licensed for home and student use on 3 Macs per household.
• Academic version – Licensed for qualified Academic use on 1 Mac.
• Purchasing a card with a 27 digit PIN:
• Home and Business 2 Pack – Licensed for 1 user for install on 2 Macs.

Source

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2458999