Microsoft has announced changes to its default themes in Office. The changes include a new standard font called Aptos, which will replace Calibri. In addition, there will be a new color palette, different line widths, and changed text styles in Microsoft 365. This update aims to make documents more modern and accessible. The changes will apply to Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Aptos was chosen as the new standard font after a lengthy selection process, in which users were able to provide feedback. Initially called Bierstadt, Aptos won out over four other fonts. Calibri had been the standard font for 15 years.
The new standard colors in Office were chosen based on various popular palettes and design trends. The selected colors needed to work well in all Office programs and be accessible to individuals with color vision difficulties. These colors will be available for charts, lists, and shapes.
Microsoft has also made changes to line styles in Office. Lines and arrows are now thicker and more visible. The appearance of line styles has been made more uniform, with better contrast. These changes aim to improve readability and make text look better overall.
These updates will be automatically introduced for Office users, without the need for installation. However, existing documents will not be changed, so no post-processing is necessary. Users can still choose to use Calibri and the previous Office style if desired.
