Microsoft on Tuesday announced a more extensive dark mode in Word. Previously, the program’s dark mode affected only the ribbon and toolbars, but not the actual document. Everything changes from today.
“As we record long hours with our screens, it becomes increasingly important to reduce eye strain and accommodate sensitivity to light,” said Microsoft in a blog (via The Verge) “Therefore, we have extended the Black Office theme to also include the screen of your document. This has been a feature that has long been requested by many internal officials and we are excited to see it happen. ”
The GIF below demonstrates what Microsoft’s most comprehensive dark mode looks like in Word. To access the feature, click File> Account> Office Theme> Black. The good thing about the new change is that you can switch between a black and white page background color. When you choose a dark theme, Microsoft said that the document’s colors will also change to accommodate the new color contrast.
“In fact, reds, blues, yellows and other colors will be slightly altered to silence the overall color palette effect and look more visually pleasing with the new dark background,” said Microsoft.
Microsoft said there was an advantage to seeing your document without the dark mode applied. This is because the blank canvas portrays how others will see you by default, such as when you send it to a colleague. You can switch between a white and dark screen or even disable the dark screen completely by going to File> Options> General> Personalize.
The most extensive changes in Word’s dark mode are currently available to Insider Beta Channel users running version 2012 (Build 13518.10000). The feature is being implemented slowly for Insiders to ensure that things are running smoothly. If the test goes well, we hope to see the same features brought in for a stable version.
If you’re not an Office 365 subscriber, Google supports a dark mode that is available in Documents, Sheets, and Slides.