Microsoft has began testing its new Office design as we speak. The software program maker initially teased its design modifications to Office final 12 months earlier than revealing final month that Office’s new UI is designed to match the redesigned Windows 11 working system. Office Insiders can now entry the brand new UI for testing earlier than it’s out there to all Microsoft 365 customers later this 12 months.

The foremost modifications are a rounded look to the Office ribbon bar, with refined tweaks to a few of the buttons all through Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Microsoft had initially teased extra dramatic modifications to its Office UI, which included shifting towards extra of a command bar as an alternative of the standard ribbon interface.

Image: Microsoft

It seems to be like, for now not less than, Microsoft is regularly bringing refined modifications to its Office design somewhat than totally ditching the ribbon interface. Microsoft remains to be engaged on adaptive commanding that can finally see Office’s ribbon interface changed with a toolbar that may be undocked to drift close by actions you’re taking in paperwork.

We’re anticipating to see these modifications seem on the internet and cellular variations of Office first, forward of any important design overhauls to the primary desktop variations of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Microsoft mentioned final 12 months that these modifications may take a 12 months or two to roll out, so we’re solely beginning to see the primary modifications in time for Windows 11 proper now.

This up to date Microsoft Office interface is offered for testers on each Windows 10 and Windows 11. You’ll should be a part of the Office Insiders group and set to obtain beta channel updates in Office settings. Once you’ve up to date, a megaphone icon on the prime of any Office app will allow you to toggle the brand new UI on or off.