Others

How to Customize the SharePoint Site Header Color

Camila Milosovich Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to change the header color of a SharePoint site because the available default themes do not provide the exact color needed.

How to Customize the SharePoint Site Header Color

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the branding and visual appearance of a SharePoint site to match organizational identity.
Observed behavior: The default SharePoint themes restrict the user from applying a highly specific header color directly.

Before you start

Verify that you have Site Owner or Site Admin permissions, as these are required to modify the appearance and header settings of a SharePoint site.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Built-in SharePoint Site Settings

Use the built-in 'Change the look' feature to easily adjust the header background color.

SharePoint provides an intuitive interface for modifying site appearance. While it relies on the colors defined in your active site theme, you can toggle between different emphasis levels (colors) for the header without writing any code.

Open Site Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint site and click the Settings gear icon located in the top-right corner of the page.

Access Appearance Options

From the Settings panel, click on 'Change the look'.

Modify the Header

Select 'Header' from the list of appearance components.

Apply Background Color

Under the 'Background' section, choose one of the available color swatches (Standard, None, Soft, or Strong) and click 'Save' at the bottom to apply the new header color.

Custom Colors: If you don't see the exact color you need in these options, you must first create and deploy a custom SharePoint theme using the SharePoint Theme Generator.

Solution 2

Customize Header Color Using PnP PowerShell

Use the Set-PnPWebHeader command in PowerShell for advanced control over your site's header configuration.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Productivity with WPS Office

While SharePoint handles your team's intranet and document storage, managing the actual documents requires a powerful and lightweight suite. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you view, edit, and create documents seamlessly.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the lightweight suite in seconds.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without worrying about formatting issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight design that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.All-in-one suite combining Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets in a single tabbed window.Built-in PDF editor for seamless document conversion and management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the 'Change the look' option in my SharePoint settings?

You might not have the necessary permissions. Only Site Owners and Site Admins have access to the 'Change the look' menu in the site settings. If you only have Edit or Read permissions, this option will be hidden.

Can I use a custom HEX color code directly for my SharePoint header?

You cannot directly enter a HEX code into the standard SharePoint header settings menu. To use a custom HEX color, you must generate a custom theme using the Microsoft Fluent UI Theme Designer and deploy it to your SharePoint environment.

Does changing the header color apply to all pages on the site?

Yes, modifying the header color through the site appearance settings applies globally to all pages, document libraries, and lists within that specific SharePoint site.

Office Quick Solutions