Microsoft Word’s dark mode gets even darker

Microsoft is improving Word’s dark mode to make it even darker. The software maker has started testing an update to Word that will color entire documents in a dark canvas. Currently Word has a dark mode that changes the ribbon and toolbars, but the canvas remains bright white. A future Word update will also include the ability to switch the canvas to dark mode.

“This is a feature that many Office Insiders have long requested and we are delighted to achieve it,” said Ali Forelli, program manager in the Microsoft Word team. “With dark mode, you will notice that the previously white page color is now dark gray / black.” As the canvas will change, the colors of a document will also be adjusted. Reds, blues, yellows, and other bright colors will be “shifted slightly to soften the overall effect of the color palette” and match the dark background.

Image: Microsoft

There will be a Change Mode button in the Word ribbon to toggle between a dark and light canvas, and options in Word to permanently turn off the dark canvas as well. This new update to Word’s dark mode looks similar to what’s currently in OneNote, which has options to switch between a dark and light canvas.

This darker mode is currently available for Office 365 beta testers, so it should roll out to all Word users in the coming months.