PDF download Download Article
A user-friendly guide to changing dark mode back to normal on Microsoft Word
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to switch from dark mode to light mode on Microsoft Office? Whether you're using Word on your computer or in your web browser, you can easily turn off dark mode by adjusting your Office Theme settings. You can also keep dark mode on but make your pages white by selecting the proper settings. Android users will be able to disable dark mode in the Word app, though iOS users will need to use their device's system settings. This wikiHow will show you how to turn off dark mode on Microsoft Word using your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Things You Should Know

  • On Windows, click "File" → "Options" → "Office Theme" → "Colorful" or "White" → "OK".
  • On Mac, click "Word" → "Preferences" → "General" → "Turn off Dark Mode".
  • On a browser, open a Word document. Click "View" → "Dark Mode".
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. If needed, you can download Microsoft Word from Microsoft.
  2. This can be found in the top tool-bar, next to Home .
    • A new page will open.
    Advertisement
  3. This will be at the bottom-left corner, in the left panel.
    • The Word Options window will open.
  4. This can be found underneath the header Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office .
  5. This is the default theme for Microsoft Office. The top taskbar will be blue while the rest of the elements will be in Light mode.
    • To make every element white, select White .
    • You can also select Dark Gray or Black (to return to Dark mode).
    • If you want your page to stay white regardless of theme, check the box next to Never change the document page color .
  6. This disables dark mode and restores your theme to light mode.
  7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using a Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don't have Microsoft Word , you'll need to download it into your Mac computer.
  2. This will be on the top toolbar, between the Apple logo and File .
  3. You can find this at the top of the menu.
  4. This will be underneath the Authoring and Proofing Tools header.
  5. Under the Personalize header, you can also select Dark Mode has a dark page color or Dark Mode has a white page color .
    • Microsoft Word will return to light mode.
    • On newer Macs, you can also click the Apple logo → System Settings… General Light . This will apply Light mode to all applications on your Mac, including Microsoft Word.
  6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using a Web Browser

PDF download Download Article
  1. Log into https://www.office.com in a web browser. If you want to turn off dark mode in the web version of Microsoft Word , it's easy. Click Sign in to enter your login details.
    • If you have your browser set to dark mode, you can change your browser settings or continue with the steps below to change Microsoft Word only. [1]
  2. Click Microsoft Word in the left panel, then select a new or existing document.
  3. This is in the top toolbar, between Review and Help .
  4. This looks like a white and black circle.
    • If you're in dark mode, you'll be switched to light mode.
    • To turn on dark mode again, click Dark mode .
      • In dark mode, click Switch Background to toggle the page color between black and white.
  5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. This looks like a blue notebook next to a W .
  2. This will be in the top-left corner, next to Home .
  3. A new window will open.
  4. This will be underneath the Display Preferences header.
  5. The Microsoft Word app will return to Light mode.
    • You may need to restart the app to apply the new theme.
  6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. This looks like a cog icon. [2]
    • Microsoft Word is available for iOS in the App Store , but you'll need to adjust your device settings. There's currently no way to change the Word app alone.
    • Make sure to update your iPhone or iPad .
  2. This will be underneath Control Center .
  3. The Word app will follow your system settings.
    • You'll return to the Light version of Microsoft Word.
  4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 44,161 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement