Windows 11 Microsoft Office gets a swanky redesign — here are the new features

Windows 11 is ushering in a new era of enhanced office productivity. Say hello to the new-and-improved Microsoft Office (also known as Microsoft 365). Microsoft announced that your favorite Office apps, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel, are getting a much-needed redesign based on user feedback.

Microsoft promises that the newly updated Microsoft 365 apps will feel more interconnected and harmonious, providing a more natural, intuitive and consistent experience.

Windows 11 welcomes the new Microsoft Office

Microsoft published a new blog post on Monday announcing its plans to roll out new-and-improved Microsoft Office apps, but it aimed its spotlight on Word. A screenshot of the popular word-processing software shows off a new, subtle interface redesign.

The Home tab menu still has a familiar look with a few tweaks. For example, accessing frequently used Word commands will be a lot easier. By navigating to Designer > Show Quick Access Toolbar, users can add a customizable shortcut ribbon to Word that houses conveniently placed options (e.g. Quick Print, New and Save).

The Redmond-based tech giant boasted that collaboration features will be more seamless and fluid, allowing users to “stay in the flow” of productivity while still sharing their work with other team members quickly and efficiently.

Office will now match your Windows theme. For example, if you have dark mode on, Word will follow suit.

Taking an “I can show you better than I can tell you” approach, Microsoft is encouraging Windows users to download the Windows 11 preview build to explore the new interfaces of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Project, Publisher and Visio.