How to Change the Excel Toolbar from Black to White
Question details
The user wants to change the Excel toolbar's appearance from a black background to a white or lighter color.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating the Excel interface and finding the dark theme undesirable or difficult to read.
- Observed behavior
- The Excel toolbar currently displays a black background with white text, which is caused by the active Dark or Black Office Theme.
Ensure you have your Microsoft Excel application open. Note that changing this appearance setting will also update the visual theme across your other installed Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint.
Change Office Theme in Excel Settings
Modify the visual appearance of your Excel workspace by selecting a lighter Office Theme directly in the application's options.
Microsoft Excel uses 'Office Themes' to control the interface colors, including the toolbar and ribbon. If it is currently black, it means the 'Black' or 'Dark Gray' theme is active, or Excel is mirroring your operating system's dark mode.
Launch Microsoft Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the window, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand navigation pane.
In the Excel Options dialog box, ensure the 'General' tab is selected from the left menu.
Scroll down to the section labeled 'Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office'.
Find the 'Office Theme' dropdown menu. Click on it and change the selection from 'Black' or 'Use system setting' to a lighter option, such as 'White' or 'Colorful'.
Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the window. Your Excel toolbar and ribbon will instantly change from black to white.
Easily Switch Interface Themes with WPS Spreadsheet
If you are looking for an intuitive way to manage your workspace aesthetics, WPS Office offers a built-in Skin Center. This allows you to effortlessly switch between Dark Mode, White, and various colorful themes for a customized, comfortable viewing experience.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch the WPS Office application and open a new or existing Spreadsheet.
- 2. Access the Skin Center: Click on the 'Skin Center' icon (which looks like a small t-shirt) located at the top right corner of the application window.
- 3. Select the White Theme: In the appearance panel, browse the available interface skins and select 'White' or the 'Default' light theme.
- 4. Enjoy the Lighter UI: The toolbar, ribbon, and overall interface will instantly update to the chosen lighter color without requiring an application restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Excel toolbar suddenly turn black?
This usually happens if you accidentally activated the Black Office Theme, or if Excel's theme is set to 'Use system setting' and your Windows or Mac operating system was recently switched to a system-wide Dark Mode.
Does changing the Office Theme in Excel affect Word and PowerPoint?
Yes, changing the Office Theme in Excel's General Options changes your global Microsoft Office account preferences. The new color scheme (like White or Colorful) will apply across all your installed Office applications.
Can I change the toolbar color to white while keeping Windows in dark mode?
Yes. In the Excel General Options, navigate to the 'Office Theme' dropdown. Instead of choosing 'Use system setting', manually select the 'White' or 'Colorful' theme. This forces Excel to stay light even if your Windows OS is in dark mode.
