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help configuring Excel in dark mode to view black cells properly (Office Professional Plus 2021)
Hola,
Necesito ayuda para configurar Microsoft Excel para que muestre correctamente las celdas de color negro mientras uso el modo oscuro. Actualmente tengo instalada la versión Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 en mi computadora.
En Microsoft Word, el modo oscuro funciona como espero: puedo ver el documento con fondo negro y texto blanco sin que eso afecte la forma en que otras personas ven el documento cuando lo reciben. Sin embargo, en Excel, al usar la misma configuración de modo oscuro en Office, no puedo ver bien las celdas que tienen fondo negro, ya que se mezclan con el fondo o directamente no se ven.
Quisiera saber si hay alguna forma de configurar Excel (en mi versión actual) para que se comporte como Word, donde el modo oscuro afecta solo la visualización del usuario y no cambia el contenido para otros.
En caso de que esto no sea posible con Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021, ¿podrían indicarme en qué versión instalable de Office está disponible esta función? Idealmente, sin necesidad de adquirir una suscripción a Office 365.
Agradecería mucho una guía paso a paso adaptada a mi versión si es que se puede hacer.
¡Muchas gracias!
Hello,
I need help configuring Microsoft Excel to properly display black-colored cells while using dark mode. I currently have Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 installed on my computer.
In Microsoft Word, dark mode works as expected — I can view the document with a black background and white text, without affecting how the document is displayed for others who receive it. However, in Excel, using the same dark mode settings in Office does not allow me to see the black-filled cells properly — they blend with the background or are not visible at all.
I would like to know if there's a way to configure Excel (in my current version) to behave similarly to Word, where the dark mode appearance is only for the user and does not affect how the file looks for others.
If this is not possible in Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021, could you please let me know in which installable version of Office this feature is available — preferably without requiring an Office 365 subscription?
I would appreciate step-by-step guidance according to my version if the feature is available.
Thank you very much!
1 Reply
Office Professional Plus 2021 does not support Word-style dark mode for Excel (view-only dark mode that preserves cell fills and formatting for others - cannot fully emulate Word-style dark mode), so far I know.
Microsoft introduced this feature in Office 365 / Microsoft 365 subscriptions with the “Dark Mode with true cell fill preservation” feature, but it’s not available in the standalone installable versions like Office 2019 or 2021.
If you must stick to Office 2021 Pro Plus:
- Use lighter fill colors for black cells temporarily while working in dark mode.
- Adjust gridline color to improve visibility.
- Avoid fully black fills if you need to see them in dark mode.
If you want true Word-like dark mode:
- You’d need Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Any installable Office standalone version (2019/2021) cannot provide this feature.
Workarounds in Excel 2021 (to make black cells visible for yourself only):
- Change gridline color: Makes dark cells stand out more.
- Temporarily adjust fill colors (e.g., dark gray instead of black) for your session.
- Use Windows High Contrast theme (system-level workaround).
Hope this helps at least a little bit.
