When Microsoft Office 2013 was under development and Microsoft released a free Customer Preview version of Office 2013 to public, people started complaining about too much white space in Office 2013 user interface. Actually Microsoft has tried to use Windows 8 style Metro UI in Office 2013 programs, they have removed the Aero glass from Office ribbon, they have removed gradients, etc to provide a minimal look to Office 2013 programs. But many people were having problems with this new white color scheme.
Now the final RTM version of Office 2013 has been released and TechNet and MSDN subscribers must be already enjoying it. If you are not a subscriber, you can download and test a fully functional trial version of Office 2013 RTM version using following link:
Download Free Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus 60-Day Trial Version
The good news is that after receiving users feedback about the white UI in Office 2013, Microsoft decided to introduce 2 new themes or color schemes in Office 2013 RTM: Light Gray and Dark Gray.
So now Office 2013 users who don't like the white interface of Office 2013, can switch to new Gray color themes and can get rid of the white UI.
To apply these new themes, you can follow these simple steps:
1. Open any Office 2013 program such as Microsoft Word. Now click on File menu present in the ribbon. Then click on Account tab given in left sidebar.
2. It'll open your Office account settings page. Here you can change Office theme. You'll find 3 Office themes available:
- White
- Light Gray
- Dark Gray
3. Select your desired theme from the drop-down box and it'll immediately apply it.
Light Gray Theme in Action:
Dark Gray Theme in Action:
NOTE: Alternatively, you can also apply these new themes using Office Options window as shown in following screenshot:
PS: Microsoft has also added a few new background images in Office 2013 RTM version which can be activated only if you are logged in using a Windows Live ID in Office 2013 programs.
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Microsoft Office, Troubleshooting
Omega Man
Finally. Thanks for the tutorial. :)
officer
and the ''show text boundaries' look is so ''strange''! How to make it like previous office look VG?
Hank Arnold (MVP)
You call this geting rid of the white?? All it does is mess a (very) little with the title bar at the top. The rest of the app is blindingly white. I really would like to know who in Microsoft saw this interface and sais "That's perfect!"?
VG
^^ Unfortunately thats the only way to minimize the white space. Something is better than nothing. ;)
@officer
Sorry to say but there is not way to change or customize it.
Jax
can i get those background images without any live ID ?? i liked it....
VG
^^ You cant.
http://www.askvg.com/fix-cant-set-or-change-office-2013-background-image-automatically-resets-to-none/
Jax
oooouuu......
k can i get it on the explorer in 8 rtm ??
VG
^^ No unless you use a 3rd party theme.
Jax
can u suggest me 1. . . .default look likes a paper work !
VG
^^ There are many Windows 8 themes are available at Deviantart.com. Just browse the Windows 8 themes section and you'll get many good themes. :)
Jax
k . . .thnx VG !
CJ
There is nothing such as Office Theme in FILE>ACCOUNTS...........
Why do you take it as a joke Mr. VG :)
BVD
The overwhelming look is still too bright. There is not enough contrast, which is noticeable when trying to use the scroll bars or pick the right icons from the Quick Access toolbars.
Susan
So the two new color options (light gray and dark gray) are better; however, for some reason it doesn't change the color scheme in Publisher! It's still white on white.... even though when you go into "Options" under the "File" tab it says the color is "Dark Gray". All the other programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook) all have the Dark Gray. Weird! If anyone knows how to fix this in Publisher, I would be forever grateful!!
I use all of the Office programs all day while at work and I am really hoping that Microsoft will be adding some actual color to their themes sometime in the near future! I love all the other aspects of the new office suites! It's too bad they skimped on colors!
maria
thank you SO much, i keep doing school work with that burning white background and my head was already pounding! so helpful!
Paul Mason
So they added light grey and dark Gary as an after thought, SO will MS be providing us with a FREE pair of sunglasses.
I've just update from Office 2010 wish I hadn't know I want to keep my eyesight not fumble around after 5 minutes of being blinded
Michelle
Gray and white?? those are the only options, really who was their focus group for that? a little bit of actual color never hurt anyone. I'm kind of sorry I switched, thought it was going to be the latest greatest, but there are sooo many limited options and not that many things new.
Disappointed :(
Sam
LOL, oh Microsoft! The irony that I see is that Microsoft needs a greater consumer market but they are doing such a terrible job of retaining let alone attracting new consumers by not giving a woot about their current consumers by doing such a terrible job of giving unlimited options in their products. Example, just two color options for office theme. Even a natural phenomenon such as a rainbow has more color options. Makes me question myself about whether white is a color.
Apologies for the long paragraph. That is a result of disappointment and frustration with Microsoft and some of their products.
Nomi
Thank you. I am so upset with Microsoft windows outlook 8. My eyes are so frustrated by having to look at this blinding white screen and the reflection from any sunlight from a real window against the white microsoft outlook screen is even more blinding. I can't believe it but using the email program on AOL is 50 times better. At least they have fun, colorful easy to use look at interfaces. How can Microsoft be so pompous to impose such a horrible design on people?!!! I hope someone at their company reads these comments.
Timh
Oh what a big miss this is. What were they thinking when they thought white on white might be embraced. I have not tried Win 8 yet but given this revelation... not in any hurry. I guess this reminds me of the days before pcs when IBM ruled the mainframe world and the old saying then was "nobody will ever get fired choosing IBM". Well look at where IBM is now, just another tech company ... I guess MSFT will end up the same way...
Walter
Still do not like the 2 new options either. I NEED COLOR
Mike
I can't believe this. How can it be that we only get white and white or white and gray in 2013. This is a deal breaker defect. How is it that Microsoft can offer every color of the rainbow to customize every other aspect of Word and every prior version of Word but then offer only white/white white/gray for Word 2013? What were they thinking? They deserve to lose business over this.
Nasser
horrible, abosoluty upset, i thought when i switched, it is gonna be something new..... really sad to say that, who was this idea?