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How to Change Microsoft Word Styles Gallery Appearance to Text-Only
Question details
The user wants to revert the Microsoft Word Styles gallery so it displays classic text-only style names rather than visual formatting previews.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Customizing the Word Ribbon and Styles gallery after an unwanted automatic UI update.
- Observed behavior
- The Styles gallery recently changed to display visual previews (like AaBbCc). Reinstalling Office, updating the application, and resetting templates failed to restore the original text-only layout.
Before proceeding, save any open documents and close Microsoft Word. If you plan to use the Registry Editor method, always back up your Windows Registry first to prevent accidental system damage.
Toggle the Visual Refresh Feature in Microsoft Word
Microsoft often pushes user interface changes via the 'New Experience' feature. Toggling this setting off is the safest way to revert your Styles gallery appearance.
Open Microsoft Word. Look for the megaphone icon (Upcoming Features) located in the top right corner of the title bar, near your profile picture.
Click the megaphone icon to expand the 'Coming Soon' or 'Visual Refresh' side pane.
Scroll to the bottom of the pane and find the toggle switch labeled 'Try the new experience'. Turn this switch to the 'Off' position.
Close Microsoft Word completely and relaunch the application for the classic UI and text-only Styles gallery to take effect.
Modify the Windows Registry to Override the Appearance
If the Visual Refresh toggle is unavailable in your version of Word, you can force the legacy interface by modifying specific Office settings in the Windows Registry.
Experience a Stable, Predictable Interface with WPS Office
If sudden user interface updates and visual refreshes in Microsoft Word disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, highly compatible, and free alternative with a familiar interface that doesn't force unexpected visual changes on your document tools.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your computer.
- 3. Open your Word documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word files to enjoy a consistent and clean formatting experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word Styles gallery change suddenly?
Microsoft periodically pushes 'Visual Refreshes' or experimental 'New Experiences' through standard Office updates. These can automatically alter the appearance of the ribbon and change the Styles gallery to show visual previews instead of traditional text names.
Will reinstalling Office fix the Styles gallery layout?
Usually, no. Reinstalling Office, updating it, or resetting the Normal.dotm template typically will not restore the previous layout because the change is tied to your Microsoft account's feature rollout status, not a corrupted local file.
Can I use an Add-In to manage Microsoft Word Styles?
Yes. If the default Styles gallery remains frustrating, you can add the classic Styles menu to the Quick Access Toolbar or install third-party tools like the Styles QAT Add-In to regain more direct control over how styles are displayed and accessed.
