How to activate dark mode in Microsoft Office easily

Enabling Dark Mode in Microsoft Office: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dark mode has become a popular feature in many apps and operating systems, as it offers a darker color scheme that reduces eye strain and conserves battery life on mobile devices. Microsoft Office has joined this trend by offering a dark mode option to its users. Here's how you can enable dark mode in Microsoft Office, whether you're using Windows or Mac.

In the digital age, many of us spend a significant portion of our day staring at screens. This prolonged exposure can often lead to eye strain and tension headaches. One way to alleviate these symptoms is by enabling dark mode in the apps we frequently use. Microsoft Office, being a staple in daily productivity, offers a dark mode feature that can be a soothing alternative to the default bright theme.

For Windows users:

1. Open any application Microsoft Office, such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint.

2. Click on the 'File' menu located at the top left corner of the application window.

3. In the sidebar, select 'Account'.

4. Under 'Account' settings, you will find an 'Office Theme' drop-down menu on the right-hand side. Click on it to reveal the theme options.

5. To enable dark mode, choose 'Black' from the drop-down menu.

6. If you prefer, you can also select 'Dark Grey' to get a slightly lighter shade of dark mode.

7. These theme settings will apply to all Microsoft Office applications on your system and will sync across devices if you are signed in with the same Microsoft account.

For Mac users:

To enable dark mode in Microsoft Office on a Mac, you need to change the system theme to dark mode. Microsoft Office on Mac uses the system settings for its theme.

1. Click on the Apple menu and open 'System Preferences'.

2. Select 'General'.

3. Find the “Appearance” section and choose “Dark” to change the system theme to dark mode.

4. Once you have changed the system theme, open any Microsoft Office application and it will automatically use the dark theme.

It's important to note that setting dark mode in Microsoft Office doesn't affect the actual content of your documents. It changes the interface and background colors to darker shades, making it easier on the eyes, especially in low-light conditions. However, the documents themselves will still be created with the standard white background, ensuring that the printed output is not affected.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the benefits of dark mode in Microsoft Office and create a more comfortable work environment for those late-night work sessions or long hours of document editing.

Remember, the dark mode feature is available if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription on Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. For older versions of Office, such as Office 2016 and Office 2013, you can still change the theme to “Dark Gray,” even on Windows 7.