Microsoft 365’s New Icons: A Unified Look for Modern Work
A Modern Redesign
Microsoft 365 now features new app icons across its core tools—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more.
The redesign, announced in October 2025, is called “Fluid forms, vibrant colours.”
It introduces a brighter, cleaner, and more cohesive visual language designed to work seamlessly across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and web platforms.
Microsoft describes this as a step toward a unified, flexible design language where each app feels connected—part of one modern experience rather than a separate product.
Why Microsoft Made the Change
The new icons aren’t just aesthetic. They reflect how Microsoft 365 apps interact in today’s digital workplace.
- Fluent Design principles: Rounded edges, layered depth, and soft gradients make icons feel modern and approachable.
- Cross-platform consistency: The icons look the same on every device, improving recognition and usability.
- Functional symbolism: Each design hints at the app’s purpose—Word’s document lines, Excel’s grids, PowerPoint’s slides—while still looking cohesive as a suite.
In short, the update focuses on clarity, collaboration, and creativity—all central to Microsoft 365’s mission.
What’s Changing
The new icons are rolling out automatically to all users—no manual updates required.
They’ll appear across these core and emerging Microsoft 365 apps:
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams
- OneNote, OneDrive, Access, Publisher, Visio
- Loop (for collaborative workspaces)
- Microsoft Copilot (AI-powered productivity assistant)
All Microsoft 365 branding, training materials, and interfaces are being refreshed to match this new look.
What It Means for You
If you manage training content, IT onboarding, or internal communication:
- Update your visuals: Replace old Office icons in guides, slides, and tutorials with the new ones.
- Communicate the change: Let users know this is part of a design evolution—not a functional overhaul.
- Highlight the connection: The unified look symbolizes Microsoft’s shift toward smarter, AI-integrated workflows.
This is an opportunity to align your materials with Microsoft’s vision for a modern digital workplace.
The Bigger Picture
Microsoft calls this redesign just the beginning.
Future updates will merge motion, design, and AI to make the Microsoft 365 experience even more dynamic.
The goal: tools that don’t just look modern, but adapt intelligently to how people work—collaboratively, seamlessly, and across devices.
Summary
The new Microsoft 365 icons are more than a cosmetic refresh.
They represent a unified, intuitive, and connected approach to modern productivity—signaling Microsoft’s continued focus on design innovation and user experience.
As Microsoft puts it, this redesign is “a small change that reflects a big vision.”
