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Microsoft 365 Insider Blog
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Reduce eye strain with Dark Mode in Excel for Windows

Sharon910's avatar
Sharon910
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Jan 14, 2025

Hi, everyone! I'm Sharon Mehta, a Product Manager on the Excel team. I'm excited to share that Excel for Windows now supports Dark Mode, which darkens your entire sheet including cells!

Reduce eye strain with Dark Mode in Excel for Windows

Dark Mode has been a highly-requested feature in our Feedback portal and we're happy to deliver! Its benefits are well understood but worth sharing again as a reminder:

 

  • Reduce eye strain in low-light conditions, making it easier to use devices for an extended period.
  • Increase energy efficiency by reducing energy consumption, especially on OLED and AMOLED screens, which can extend battery life on mobile devices and laptops.
  • Improve accessibility for individuals with light sensitivity and reduce screen flickering, potentially increasing focus.
  • Enhance the user experience by providing a modern look and feel, which many users find visually appealing.
Excel worksheet in Dark Mode

How it works

  1. Enable Dark Mode by using the Switch Modes button on the View tab. 
  2. Open an existing worksheet or create one.
  3. To make sure you are using a supported Office theme, select File > Account > Office Theme and confirm that either Black or Use system setting is selected.

NOTE: If you select the Use system settings option, you will also need to make sure that your Windows theme is set to Black.     

     4. To turn on Dark Mode, select View, then Switch Modes.

 

Switch Modes button on the View tab

     5. To turn Dark Mode off, simply select View > Switch Modes again.

Availability

This feature is rolling out to Beta Channel users running Version 2502 (Build 18508.20000) or later.

Feedback

We want to hear from you!  To share your thoughts, either select Help > Feedback in Excel, or go to the Feedback Portal

 


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Updated Jan 09, 2025
Version 1.0
  • Yurizon9's avatar
    Yurizon9
    Copper Contributor

    This is the feature I'm really looking for. First of all, thank you.
    Currently, I'm using version 2502 (build 18516.20000 Easy Run) and I'm using the Switch Mode well.
    However, when the Switch Mode is set to Dark Mode, the border thickness setting option in the Conditional Formatting disappeared.
    If it's not a Conditional Formatting, it's displayed normally, so is there any way to solve this issue?
    Thank you.

  • GeezerGeek's avatar
    GeezerGeek
    Copper Contributor

    Woo Hoo! I've been waiting for this. Joined the Beta channel just for this one feature. I was using Style sheets to emulate dark mode.  

  • herbertio's avatar
    herbertio
    Copper Contributor

    That's great news. Are there plans to make this available on Excel for Mac as well?

  • edmff's avatar
    edmff
    Copper Contributor

    finally arrived, I couldn't wait. the next program to get dark mode has to be PowerPoint, or Access. why not?

  • In general that's great to have such option. However, for rich coloured sheets effect with shifting the mode is not always good. Or we have to make the design specifically for the dark theme. Here is another issue - to have white we have to select black colour, to have light green to select dark green, etc.

    • GeezerGeek's avatar
      GeezerGeek
      Copper Contributor

      I agree with SergeiBaklan. The font/fill colors are all messed up. You don't get the color you select. This isn't ready for prime time yet. I've halted my conversion from Style sheet dark mode emulation to the new Dark mode because the font/fill colors are just not working.

  • Bishal_Naik's avatar
    Bishal_Naik
    Copper Contributor

    Just joined the Insider program and selected the Beta channel, but am still stuck on Version 2404 (Build 17531.20080 Click-to-Run). This Dark Mode is much needed and now even after joining I can't use this feature. How can I update to Version 2502?

    • burton916's avatar
      burton916
      Copper Contributor

      You need to go to File -Account - Click the square that says "Microsoft Insider" - Change channel, popup window, change drop down to 'Beta Channel'.  From there you let it update and you will get the feature. I love it.