Office Settings & Configuration

How to Deploy Custom Brand Colors Across Microsoft 365 Apps

Phi Hung Vo Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to create and deploy branded color themes using custom RGB values across Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating corporate branded color templates and deploying them organization-wide across Office applications.
Observed behavior: A custom theme file (.thmx) must be created in PowerPoint and applied to Word and Excel templates, though the 'Custom Colors' label itself cannot be renamed in the interface.

Before you start

Ensure you have the exact RGB or Hex codes for your organization's brand colors and administrative access if you plan to deploy the themes tenant-wide.

Solution 1Recommended

Create and Export a Custom Color Theme in PowerPoint

The most effective way to create a unified color scheme for Microsoft 365 is by generating a .thmx file in PowerPoint, which can then be applied to other apps.

While you can apply colors individually, saving a master theme file (.thmx) in PowerPoint ensures consistency across Word and Excel templates. Note that the 'Custom Colors' label in the standard interface cannot be renamed.

Open PowerPoint Design Settings

Launch Microsoft PowerPoint, create a new blank presentation, and navigate to the 'Design' tab on the top ribbon.

Access Custom Colors

Click the 'More' dropdown arrow in the Variants group, point to 'Colors', and select 'Customize Colors' at the bottom of the menu.

Input Brand RGB Values

In the Create New Theme Colors dialog box, enter the specific RGB values for your brand's text, accents, and background colors, then type a name for your new theme and click 'Save'.

Export as a Theme File

To export your newly created colors, go back to the 'Design' tab, click the 'More' arrow in the Themes group, and select 'Save Current Theme' to generate a .thmx file.

Create and Export a Custom Color Theme in PowerPoint

Tenant-wide Deployment: Once the .thmx file and associated templates are created, your IT department or M365 Administrator should deploy them via SharePoint organizational asset libraries to make them available across the tenant.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Template and Brand Management

Managing complex tenant-wide deployments in Microsoft 365 can be challenging and expensive. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that makes designing and applying custom branded templates incredibly intuitive while fully supporting standard Microsoft Office formats.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free on your computer or mobile device.
2. Open WPS Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and navigate to the 'Design' tab to manage your document's visual style.
3. Apply Custom Colors: Click on 'Color Schemes' and select the option to create a custom scheme using your brand's specific RGB values, then save the template for your team.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, and customized theme elements.Easily apply custom RGB brand colors to presentations, spreadsheets, and documents.Lightweight design with a familiar, user-friendly interface that reduces the learning curve.Cost-effective solution without the need for expensive enterprise subscriptions.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename the 'Custom Colors' label in Microsoft Office?

No, Microsoft Office does not currently allow users to rename the standard 'Custom Colors' section label, even when deploying custom organizational theme files.

How do I apply the PowerPoint custom theme to Word and Excel?

Once you have saved your custom brand theme as a .thmx file in PowerPoint, open Word or Excel, navigate to the Design or Page Layout tab, click 'Themes', and select 'Browse for Themes' to upload and apply your saved .thmx file.

Can a custom theme include more than the standard six accent colors?

Yes, organizations can create comprehensive branded color themes that define more than the standard six accent colors by adjusting the extended values within the customized template.

Who usually handles the deployment of standard themes across an organization?

Deploying custom brand colors and unified templates across an entire Microsoft 365 tenant is typically managed by a SharePoint or Microsoft 365 administrator using organizational template libraries or centralized deployment scripts.

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