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How to Change Toolbar Icon Colors and Themes in Office 2021
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to change the color of individual toolbar icons in Microsoft Office 2021 and how to adjust the visual appearance of the workspace.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the application interface for better visibility, aesthetic preference, or to reduce eye strain.
- Observed behavior
- Office 2021 restricts the customization of individual icon colors but allows users to change the overarching application theme.
Please note that while individual icon colors cannot be modified in Office 2021, you can adjust the overall software theme to improve visual contrast and tailor the interface to your preferences.
Change the Overall Office 2021 Theme
Since individual icon colors cannot be changed, adjusting the Office Theme is the official way to customize your workspace appearance and ribbon contrast.
Microsoft Office 2021 uses a standardized Fluent Design system that does not support customizing the color of individual icons on the ribbon or toolbar.
However, applying a different Office Theme will change the background, ribbon color, and overall contrast, which naturally alters how the icons stand out against the interface.
Launch any Office 2021 application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Options' located at the bottom of the left-hand navigation pane.
In the 'General' tab of the Options window, scroll down to the 'Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office' section.
Click the drop-down menu next to 'Office Theme' and choose from Colorful, Dark Gray, Black, or White. Click 'OK' to save your changes and instantly update the interface.
Easily Customize Your Workspace Appearance with WPS Office
If you are looking for an office suite with excellent customization options, WPS Office features a built-in Appearance interface that allows you to effortlessly switch between eye-friendly themes, backgrounds, and layout styles.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office on your computer and open any document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
- 2. Access the Appearance Settings: Click on the 'Global Settings' (gear icon) in the top right corner or click the 'Appearance' (t-shirt icon) on the homepage.
- 3. Choose Your Theme: Browse the available visual themes, including Classic, Dark Mode, and various system-matching color schemes.
- 4. Apply Immediately: Select your preferred theme. The interface and toolbars will update instantly across all your open tabs without needing to restart the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use third-party tools to change Office 2021 icon colors?
Microsoft does not officially support third-party UI modification tools for Office 2021. Attempting to force icon color changes using unofficial software can result in application instability, visual glitches, or security warnings.
Why did Microsoft remove custom icon colors in newer Office versions?
Microsoft transitioned to a unified Fluent Design language to ensure visual consistency, accessibility, and high contrast across all Windows environments. Standardized icons help maintain clarity regardless of the chosen application theme.
Does applying the Black theme in Office 2021 change the document canvas color?
Yes, by default, selecting the Black theme will also turn your document background dark. You can toggle this specific canvas behavior off by going to the 'View' tab on the ribbon and clicking 'Switch Modes', which keeps the dark ribbon but restores the white page background.
Can I customize which icons appear on the Quick Access Toolbar?
While you cannot change the colors of the icons, you can customize the contents of the toolbar. Right-click anywhere on the ribbon, select 'Customize Quick Access Toolbar', and add or remove the specific command icons you use most frequently.
