Change Word's color theme in three steps

Microsoft Word comes set to a blue theme by default, but you can switch to a different color — white, dark gray, or black — in the File menu. The theme you pick changes the color of Word's toolbar, ribbon, and sidebar, not the color of your document itself. Most people switch themes because blue causes eye strain in low light, or because they prefer how another color looks on their screen.

The steps are the same whether you use Word on Windows or Mac. You do not need to restart Word or close your document — the change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Word's color theme controls the toolbar and ribbon color, not your document text or background.
  • You can choose from Colorful (blue), Light Gray, Dark Gray, or Black by opening File and selecting Options or Preferences.
  • The change applies to all your Word documents and takes effect right away.
  • If you switch back to blue later, your documents remain unchanged — the theme only affects how Word's interface looks.

How to change the theme on Windows

Open any Word document or create a new one. Click the File tab in the top left corner of the screen. From the menu that opens on the left side, click Options near the bottom.

In the Word Options window, click General in the left column. Look for the section labeled "Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office." Under that section, you will see a dropdown menu that says Office Theme. Click the dropdown and choose from the available options: Colorful (the default blue), Light Gray, Dark Gray, or Black. Click OK at the bottom right to save your choice.

How to change the theme on Mac

Open any Word document or create a new one. Click Word in the menu bar at the very top of your screen, then click Preferences from the dropdown menu.

In the Preferences window, click General. Look for the section called "Personalize" and find the Office Theme dropdown. Select your preferred color: Colorful, Light Gray, Dark Gray, or Black. Close the Preferences window by clicking the red circle in the top left corner, and your change will save automatically.

What each theme looks like

Colorful is the default. The toolbar and ribbon are blue, and the sidebar on the right is also blue. This is what most people see when they first open Word.

Light Gray turns the toolbar, ribbon, and sidebar a light gray color. The text and buttons remain dark, so it is straightforward to read. Many people choose this if they find blue too bright.

Dark Gray makes the toolbar, ribbon, and sidebar a medium gray. The buttons and text are lighter, which creates more contrast. This theme is popular for people who work in dim lighting.

Black is the darkest option. The entire interface becomes black with white text and icons. This is the easiest on the eyes in very low light, but some people find it harder to read the smaller text in the ribbon.

Why your document does not change color

The theme only changes Word's interface — the toolbars, ribbons, and menus you see around your document. It does not change the color of the document itself, the text you type, or the background of the page. Your document will look exactly the same no matter which theme you pick.

If you want to change the actual background color of your document (the page color), that is a separate step. You would go to the Design tab in the ribbon, click Page Color, and choose a color from the palette. But that change only affects how the document looks on your screen and in print — it does not affect the theme.

Switch back to blue anytime

If you change your mind and want to go back to the blue theme, follow the same steps: File > Options (or Word > Preferences on Mac), then General, then Office Theme, and select Colorful. Your documents will not be affected — switching themes does not change anything you have typed or formatted.

You can also try each theme for a day or two before deciding which one you like best. There is no penalty for changing back and forth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the theme affect my document or just how Word looks?

Only how Word looks. The theme changes the color of the toolbar, ribbon, and sidebar. Your document text, formatting, and page color stay exactly the same no matter which theme you choose.

Can I set a different theme for different documents?

No. The theme applies to all your Word documents at once. When you change the theme, it changes for every document you open in Word from that point forward.

What if I want to change the color of the page itself, not just the toolbar?

That is the page color, not the theme. Click the Design tab in the ribbon, then Page Color, and pick a color. This only affects that specific document, not all your documents.

Does the theme change affect other Microsoft Office programs like Excel?

Yes. When you change the Office Theme in Word, it also changes in Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office programs you have installed. They all use the same theme setting.