MC1187401 – (Updated) Microsoft dark themes for SharePoint sites

Product:

SharePoint

Platform:

Online, US Instances, Web, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

526788

Details:

Summary:
Two new Microsoft-designed dark themes (Dark Teal, Dark Blue) for SharePoint sites will roll out worldwide from January to February 2026. These accessible themes update site visuals without affecting existing themes. No admin action is needed before rollout; site owners should be notified afterward.

Details:
Updated December 18, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Coming soon to SharePoint: Site owners and admins will be able to apply two new Microsoft-designed multi-color dark themes. These official themes offer modern dark color palettes with multiple colors combinations, enabling richer visual experiences and consistent branding across sites. Both themes are available out-of-the-box and can be configured via site settings.
This message is associated with Roadmap ID 526788.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release (Worldwide): Rollout begins early January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025), completes January 2026 (previously early January)
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rollout begins late January 2026 (previously early February), completes February 2026 (previously early February)

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release

Created:
2025-11-18

updated:
2026-01-13

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Impact from New Dark Themes
The introduction of new dark themes may confuse users who are accustomed to the existing themes, leading to a temporary decrease in productivity as they adapt to the new visual layout and features.
   - roles: SharePoint Site Owners, End Users
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/site-theme, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=526788

Potential Accessibility Issues
While the new themes are designed to be compliant with accessibility standards, users with specific visual impairments may struggle with the new color contrasts, leading to a negative impact on their ability to navigate and use SharePoint effectively.
   - roles: SharePoint Admins, End Users
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/site-theme, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=526788

Configutation Options**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is introducing two new dark themes for SharePoint sites, called Dark Teal and Dark Blue. These themes are designed to give SharePoint sites a modern and visually appealing look, especially in low-light environments. Think of it like switching your phone or computer to dark mode; it changes the background to darker colors, which can be easier on the eyes and can give a sleek, professional appearance.

These new themes are built into SharePoint, so site owners and admins can easily apply them through the site settings without needing any technical adjustments or coding. It's similar to changing the wallpaper on your desktop; you just select the new look you want, and it updates automatically.

The rollout of these themes will start in January 2026 and finish by February 2026. During this time, site owners and admins will be able to start using these themes to enhance their sites. Importantly, these changes won't affect any existing themes or how the site functions. It's like adding a new option to a menu without removing any of the current choices.

No action is needed from admins before these themes become available. Once they are live, it's a good idea to inform site owners and users about the new options. Encouraging them to explore these themes can help improve the site's branding and visual comfort for users.

These themes are designed to meet Microsoft's accessibility standards, ensuring they are usable for everyone, including those with visual impairments. This means they not only look good but are also functional and inclusive.

In summary, the new dark themes for SharePoint sites are a straightforward way to refresh the look of your site, similar to how you might redecorate a room with new paint colors. They offer a modern, accessible, and visually comfortable option for site owners and users.