Is there Something like a Dark Background Excel Theme?












16














Is there an easy way to apply a dark theme to my excel windows: black or gray background on all cells, light text.



Ideally, this would be just a theme/view that could be applied, rather than actually changing the colors in the document itself.










share|improve this question





























    16














    Is there an easy way to apply a dark theme to my excel windows: black or gray background on all cells, light text.



    Ideally, this would be just a theme/view that could be applied, rather than actually changing the colors in the document itself.










    share|improve this question



























      16












      16








      16


      6





      Is there an easy way to apply a dark theme to my excel windows: black or gray background on all cells, light text.



      Ideally, this would be just a theme/view that could be applied, rather than actually changing the colors in the document itself.










      share|improve this question















      Is there an easy way to apply a dark theme to my excel windows: black or gray background on all cells, light text.



      Ideally, this would be just a theme/view that could be applied, rather than actually changing the colors in the document itself.







      microsoft-excel






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited May 10 '12 at 23:22









      Der Hochstapler

      67.3k49230284




      67.3k49230284










      asked May 10 '12 at 22:53









      Jonah

      2531512




      2531512






















          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

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          11














          Yes there is. This can be done in both Excel 2007 & 2010. I have 2010, so to change it go to



          FILE > OPTIONS > GENERAL



          These options are available there;



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer

















          • 2




            Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
            – Jonah
            May 11 '12 at 17:56










          • Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
            – CharlieRB
            May 14 '12 at 1:34





















          11














          I would do as @CharlieRB suggests and additionally set a small background image, any color, or image that works for you. You can make this a default template as well if you like. Not sure how printing will work for you, but you could set a custom view to deal with printing, if that is an issue.



          Page Layout>Background
          enter image description here



          Create and select a small image



          enter image description here



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer



















          • 1




            datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
            – Jonah
            May 13 '12 at 6:48










          • Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
            – datatoo
            May 13 '12 at 20:57



















          2














          ok so i just figured out a solution, but it comes with drawbacks. you can use windows aero to change the default color of all programs which will do exactly what you're asking for, but will affect most standard programs as well. so here's what you do:




          1. right click on desktop

          2. select 'personalize'

          3. select 'window color' button

          4. select 'advanced appearance settings'

          5. in the box that opens look for a box that says 'active window'

          6. click in the white space of that box

          7. just below said box it will have a drop-down menu titled 'Color 1'

          8. select this drop-down menu and choose any color you'd like


          This will change the background color of excel, word, etc. Hope this helps.






          share|improve this answer





















          • This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
            – Matt Fletcher
            Dec 21 '17 at 18:26



















          0














          I have managed to get my Excel, Word and Notepad to all show light gray background by default by changing the Windows Theme, which works well for me. I have windows 10 and Office 2016 and have been struggling with this for a long time. I had to create a new theme and change the Window Color to gray.






          share|improve this answer





























            0














            Office 365 now has dark mode for Mojave OS on Mac. It just came out today for the Insiders Fast track updates. I've been looking forward to this for years.



            I don't prefer the insider's updates, because I don't want to test Excel for Microsoft. Also, the updates come too often, disrupting my work flow.



            Can't wait!






            share|improve this answer





















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              5 Answers
              5






              active

              oldest

              votes








              5 Answers
              5






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              11














              Yes there is. This can be done in both Excel 2007 & 2010. I have 2010, so to change it go to



              FILE > OPTIONS > GENERAL



              These options are available there;



              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer

















              • 2




                Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
                – Jonah
                May 11 '12 at 17:56










              • Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
                – CharlieRB
                May 14 '12 at 1:34


















              11














              Yes there is. This can be done in both Excel 2007 & 2010. I have 2010, so to change it go to



              FILE > OPTIONS > GENERAL



              These options are available there;



              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer

















              • 2




                Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
                – Jonah
                May 11 '12 at 17:56










              • Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
                – CharlieRB
                May 14 '12 at 1:34
















              11












              11








              11






              Yes there is. This can be done in both Excel 2007 & 2010. I have 2010, so to change it go to



              FILE > OPTIONS > GENERAL



              These options are available there;



              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer












              Yes there is. This can be done in both Excel 2007 & 2010. I have 2010, so to change it go to



              FILE > OPTIONS > GENERAL



              These options are available there;



              enter image description here







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered May 11 '12 at 13:01









              CharlieRB

              20.4k44490




              20.4k44490








              • 2




                Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
                – Jonah
                May 11 '12 at 17:56










              • Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
                – CharlieRB
                May 14 '12 at 1:34
















              • 2




                Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
                – Jonah
                May 11 '12 at 17:56










              • Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
                – CharlieRB
                May 14 '12 at 1:34










              2




              2




              Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
              – Jonah
              May 11 '12 at 17:56




              Hi Charlie, I am on 2007 but I found the exact same menu you describe. Unfortunately, it only changes the color scheme of the surrounding window (frame, menu, tool ribbon), not the color scheme of the cells themselves. Thus I am still looking at a white screen. The goal is something easier on the eyes, the excel equivalent of the dark themes prevalent in many popular text editors, like this one for vim: hans.fugal.net/vim/colors/desert.html
              – Jonah
              May 11 '12 at 17:56












              Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
              – CharlieRB
              May 14 '12 at 1:34






              Have you tried Quick Styles? You should be able to modify and save one to your liking. Apply, create, or remove a cell style.
              – CharlieRB
              May 14 '12 at 1:34















              11














              I would do as @CharlieRB suggests and additionally set a small background image, any color, or image that works for you. You can make this a default template as well if you like. Not sure how printing will work for you, but you could set a custom view to deal with printing, if that is an issue.



              Page Layout>Background
              enter image description here



              Create and select a small image



              enter image description here



              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer



















              • 1




                datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
                – Jonah
                May 13 '12 at 6:48










              • Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
                – datatoo
                May 13 '12 at 20:57
















              11














              I would do as @CharlieRB suggests and additionally set a small background image, any color, or image that works for you. You can make this a default template as well if you like. Not sure how printing will work for you, but you could set a custom view to deal with printing, if that is an issue.



              Page Layout>Background
              enter image description here



              Create and select a small image



              enter image description here



              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer



















              • 1




                datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
                – Jonah
                May 13 '12 at 6:48










              • Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
                – datatoo
                May 13 '12 at 20:57














              11












              11








              11






              I would do as @CharlieRB suggests and additionally set a small background image, any color, or image that works for you. You can make this a default template as well if you like. Not sure how printing will work for you, but you could set a custom view to deal with printing, if that is an issue.



              Page Layout>Background
              enter image description here



              Create and select a small image



              enter image description here



              enter image description here






              share|improve this answer














              I would do as @CharlieRB suggests and additionally set a small background image, any color, or image that works for you. You can make this a default template as well if you like. Not sure how printing will work for you, but you could set a custom view to deal with printing, if that is an issue.



              Page Layout>Background
              enter image description here



              Create and select a small image



              enter image description here



              enter image description here







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited May 13 '12 at 21:03

























              answered May 12 '12 at 19:40









              datatoo

              2,7521428




              2,7521428








              • 1




                datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
                – Jonah
                May 13 '12 at 6:48










              • Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
                – datatoo
                May 13 '12 at 20:57














              • 1




                datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
                – Jonah
                May 13 '12 at 6:48










              • Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
                – datatoo
                May 13 '12 at 20:57








              1




              1




              datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
              – Jonah
              May 13 '12 at 6:48




              datatoo, yeah something like that would be fine. how do i set the background image as you suggest? i want to do it at the theme, rather than the document, level. thanks.
              – Jonah
              May 13 '12 at 6:48












              Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
              – datatoo
              May 13 '12 at 20:57




              Well it doesn't appear the theme level will allow that. It does seem like themes are limited in that way. But setting a default template with a small dark image for the background works. Just not the way you want I guess. Why they would allow altering of everything but the base background is beyond me.
              – datatoo
              May 13 '12 at 20:57











              2














              ok so i just figured out a solution, but it comes with drawbacks. you can use windows aero to change the default color of all programs which will do exactly what you're asking for, but will affect most standard programs as well. so here's what you do:




              1. right click on desktop

              2. select 'personalize'

              3. select 'window color' button

              4. select 'advanced appearance settings'

              5. in the box that opens look for a box that says 'active window'

              6. click in the white space of that box

              7. just below said box it will have a drop-down menu titled 'Color 1'

              8. select this drop-down menu and choose any color you'd like


              This will change the background color of excel, word, etc. Hope this helps.






              share|improve this answer





















              • This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
                – Matt Fletcher
                Dec 21 '17 at 18:26
















              2














              ok so i just figured out a solution, but it comes with drawbacks. you can use windows aero to change the default color of all programs which will do exactly what you're asking for, but will affect most standard programs as well. so here's what you do:




              1. right click on desktop

              2. select 'personalize'

              3. select 'window color' button

              4. select 'advanced appearance settings'

              5. in the box that opens look for a box that says 'active window'

              6. click in the white space of that box

              7. just below said box it will have a drop-down menu titled 'Color 1'

              8. select this drop-down menu and choose any color you'd like


              This will change the background color of excel, word, etc. Hope this helps.






              share|improve this answer





















              • This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
                – Matt Fletcher
                Dec 21 '17 at 18:26














              2












              2








              2






              ok so i just figured out a solution, but it comes with drawbacks. you can use windows aero to change the default color of all programs which will do exactly what you're asking for, but will affect most standard programs as well. so here's what you do:




              1. right click on desktop

              2. select 'personalize'

              3. select 'window color' button

              4. select 'advanced appearance settings'

              5. in the box that opens look for a box that says 'active window'

              6. click in the white space of that box

              7. just below said box it will have a drop-down menu titled 'Color 1'

              8. select this drop-down menu and choose any color you'd like


              This will change the background color of excel, word, etc. Hope this helps.






              share|improve this answer












              ok so i just figured out a solution, but it comes with drawbacks. you can use windows aero to change the default color of all programs which will do exactly what you're asking for, but will affect most standard programs as well. so here's what you do:




              1. right click on desktop

              2. select 'personalize'

              3. select 'window color' button

              4. select 'advanced appearance settings'

              5. in the box that opens look for a box that says 'active window'

              6. click in the white space of that box

              7. just below said box it will have a drop-down menu titled 'Color 1'

              8. select this drop-down menu and choose any color you'd like


              This will change the background color of excel, word, etc. Hope this helps.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Nov 8 '13 at 1:31









              chris

              211




              211












              • This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
                – Matt Fletcher
                Dec 21 '17 at 18:26


















              • This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
                – Matt Fletcher
                Dec 21 '17 at 18:26
















              This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
              – Matt Fletcher
              Dec 21 '17 at 18:26




              This is assuming everyone using the Office suite is on Windows...
              – Matt Fletcher
              Dec 21 '17 at 18:26











              0














              I have managed to get my Excel, Word and Notepad to all show light gray background by default by changing the Windows Theme, which works well for me. I have windows 10 and Office 2016 and have been struggling with this for a long time. I had to create a new theme and change the Window Color to gray.






              share|improve this answer


























                0














                I have managed to get my Excel, Word and Notepad to all show light gray background by default by changing the Windows Theme, which works well for me. I have windows 10 and Office 2016 and have been struggling with this for a long time. I had to create a new theme and change the Window Color to gray.






                share|improve this answer
























                  0












                  0








                  0






                  I have managed to get my Excel, Word and Notepad to all show light gray background by default by changing the Windows Theme, which works well for me. I have windows 10 and Office 2016 and have been struggling with this for a long time. I had to create a new theme and change the Window Color to gray.






                  share|improve this answer












                  I have managed to get my Excel, Word and Notepad to all show light gray background by default by changing the Windows Theme, which works well for me. I have windows 10 and Office 2016 and have been struggling with this for a long time. I had to create a new theme and change the Window Color to gray.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered May 29 '18 at 16:12









                  Olly

                  1




                  1























                      0














                      Office 365 now has dark mode for Mojave OS on Mac. It just came out today for the Insiders Fast track updates. I've been looking forward to this for years.



                      I don't prefer the insider's updates, because I don't want to test Excel for Microsoft. Also, the updates come too often, disrupting my work flow.



                      Can't wait!






                      share|improve this answer


























                        0














                        Office 365 now has dark mode for Mojave OS on Mac. It just came out today for the Insiders Fast track updates. I've been looking forward to this for years.



                        I don't prefer the insider's updates, because I don't want to test Excel for Microsoft. Also, the updates come too often, disrupting my work flow.



                        Can't wait!






                        share|improve this answer
























                          0












                          0








                          0






                          Office 365 now has dark mode for Mojave OS on Mac. It just came out today for the Insiders Fast track updates. I've been looking forward to this for years.



                          I don't prefer the insider's updates, because I don't want to test Excel for Microsoft. Also, the updates come too often, disrupting my work flow.



                          Can't wait!






                          share|improve this answer












                          Office 365 now has dark mode for Mojave OS on Mac. It just came out today for the Insiders Fast track updates. I've been looking forward to this for years.



                          I don't prefer the insider's updates, because I don't want to test Excel for Microsoft. Also, the updates come too often, disrupting my work flow.



                          Can't wait!







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Dec 12 '18 at 15:53









                          Mitch

                          112




                          112






























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