'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Can the Excel Color Palette Be Changed Back to a Smaller Size?
Question details
Users are looking for a way to restore the older, smaller color palette design in Microsoft Excel after a recent software update doubled its size.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adjusting the application interface settings after an automatic software update alters the workspace layout.
- Observed behavior
- The color palette picker takes up twice as much screen space as it previously did, and there is no visible setting or toggle available in the application menus to shrink it back to its original dimensions.
Ensure your Microsoft Office application is completely up to date, as Microsoft frequently releases interface tweaks and feature toggles in subsequent patches based on community feedback.
Submit a Feature Request to the Excel Product Team
Because the larger color palette is a hardcoded UI change without a built-in resize toggle, submitting direct feedback is the official method to request the restoration of the smaller design.
Currently, Microsoft has not provided a confirmed setting or registry edit to resize the updated color palette. The change was implemented across the application update, and adjusting standard display scaling will affect the entire app rather than just the palette.
The most effective action is to voice your preference through Microsoft's official feedback channels so the development team can consider adding a size toggle in a future update.
Launch your web browser and navigate directly to the official Microsoft Excel feedback forum at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/c23f3b77-f01b-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472.
Click the 'Sign In' button at the top right of the portal using the Microsoft account associated with your Office subscription.
Use the search bar to look for 'color palette size' or 'smaller color picker'. If another user has already requested this, upvote their submission to increase its visibility.
If no existing post matches your issue, click 'Send feedback' to create a new post detailing how the doubled palette size negatively impacts your workflow and request a toggle for the smaller design.
Try WPS Office for a Clean, Familiar, and Stable Interface
If unexpected layout changes and oversized menus in Microsoft Excel are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible spreadsheet tool with a classic, compact user interface that doesn't force disruptive design updates.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the lightweight installation.
- 2. Launch WPS Spreadsheets: Open the WPS Office suite and click on 'Spreadsheets' to start a new workspace.
- 3. Open your Excel Files: Go to 'File' > 'Open' to seamlessly load your existing .xlsx documents without losing any data or formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Excel color palette increase in size?
Microsoft occasionally updates the user interface of Office applications to improve touch-screen usability, enhance accessibility for visually impaired users, and align with new design languages. This particular update resulted in a larger color palette picker to make individual color swatches easier to tap.
Can I use a VBA macro to change the color palette size?
No. VBA macros are designed to automate tasks and manipulate worksheet data. They cannot alter the physical dimensions or hardcoded UI properties of built-in ribbon elements like the color palette picker.
Is there a way to revert to an older version of Excel?
Yes, if you are using a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can use the Office Deployment Tool to roll your installation back to a previous build before the UI update occurred. However, this is generally not recommended as it will disable critical security updates and future feature enhancements.
