14 DAY TRIAL // We’ve known for a while that Microsoft was working on a full dark mode for Word, and now the software giant is announcing this visual update for insiders.
In other words, if you’re part of the Office Insider program, you can now try out the new dark mode in Microsoft Word after updating to the latest version of the productivity suite.
Enabling this new look is as easy as it could be, as you just need to enable the Black Office theme in Microsoft Word and then click the switch modes button in the ribbon to replace the typical white canvas with a dark one.
Currently in the Office Insider program
“As we log long hours with our screens, it has become increasingly important to reduce eye strain and accommodate light sensitivity. Therefore, we’ve extended the Black Office theme to now include your document canvas as well. This has been a long-requested feature from many of Officer Insiders and we’re excited to make it happen,” Ali Forelli, a program manager on Microsoft’s Word team, says.
“With Dark mode, you’ll notice that the previously white page color is now a dark grey/black. Colors within your document will also be shifted to accommodate the new color contrast. Indeed, reds, blues, yellows, and other colors will be shifted slightly to mute the overall effect of the color palette and look more visually pleasing with the new dark background.”
If you just want to keep the canvas white, it’s enough to just head over to the settings screen in Microsoft Word and check the option that reads “Disable dark” next to the Black Office theme.
Keep in mind this feature is currently in testing for now, and Microsoft says there’s no ETA as to when it could be released to everybody running Microsoft Word.