Change Background color Theme Office 2013

Anonymous
2013-01-12T15:28:57+00:00

Has anyone come up with how to Change the Color on the Office 2013 Them from "gray".  Microsoft has really not been user friendly with Windows 8 or Office 2013 in enabling the user to change their environment.

I think Microsoft does not read these forum questions.  Otherwise, some of the technical people would be contacting their customers to gain feedback.

I am extremely disappointed in the Office 13 and Win8 programs. 

Anyone got any ideas?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2013-01-13T13:21:44+00:00

​

Hi,

Thanks for posting in Microsoft Community. It is unfortunate that you are unable to locate the option in Office 2013 to change the theme of applications. Let me help you with the issue.

For the Office 2013 (RTM) version you may follow the below steps:

  1. Go to the File tab
  2. Click on Options
  3. Choose the General tab on the left
  4. Find the ‘O ffice Theme’ dropdown item
  5. Choose between White, Light Gray, and Dark Gray.

If you have Office 2013 preview version installed, then you have an option to change the background color by clicking on File, Options, General and under the group 'Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office', you may choose the background you wish to change to and click ok.

If you are using preview version of Office then you have a Smiley on the top right hand side of the application, you may click on it and send in your feedback.

I hope the above steps help. If you need any further assistance reply and we will be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-09-14T15:07:50+00:00

    Dose or will this work in excel etc.?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-09-14T12:01:18+00:00

    Hi

    In the past I used these two macros to change word document background in office 2007 and earlier versions.

    ================================================

    Sub Shade()

    Dim I

    I = 180

    Selection.WholeStory

    ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(I, I, I)

    ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.Visible = msoTrue

    ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Zoom.Percentage = 150

    ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.Solid

    ActiveWindow.View.Type = wdOnlineView

    End Sub

    Sub UnShade()

    Dim I As Integer

    I = 255

    Selection.WholeStory

    ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(I, I, I)

    ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.Visible = msoTrue

    ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.Solid

    ActiveWindow.View.Type = wdOnlineView

    End Sub

    ================================================

    I tried on Office 2013 it worked OK. The RGB color can be any that suits you.

    Steps:

    a) copy the macros to normal.dotm, which is normally in C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates

    b) Add them to Ribbon under FILE|Word Options|Customize Ribbon, select Macros under "Choose commands from" on left panel, the macros should be there. On the right panel, you first add a new Tab, then select macros and click "add".

    Regards

    Charlie Mao

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-09-05T17:51:38+00:00

    Hello le_flyer, and EVERYONE who tears dried out by now... I've read most of all the forums on the Internet relating to their desperation and frustration. 

    So here goes: http://arcanesanctum.net/negativescreen/

    I've just installed it and my Excel, no, my whole Office, is now looking exactly the way I want it to look. I'm now able to work on Excel for hours and with alas.... sparing my eyes doing so.

    Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy...!

    Before diving straight back into my cells: Just a fun poking quote I found elsewhere:

    The missing start button, or in this case, The Lack of Black: "One small step for Microsoft, one giant leap backwards for mankind". (Once the ability is there to change the theme to black, I'll change the quote). :)

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