Microsoft has officially unveiled the new Office icons, marking the first major redesign since 2018. Although they were leaked a few months ago, today we finally get to see them in all their glory. These icons arrive with a fresher, more playful, and visually appealing look, following the Fluent design language that the company has been adopting.
What’s interesting is that this redesign isn’t just cosmetic: the new icons are inspired by the visual style of the Copilot icon, the AI tool that’s transforming Microsoft 365. In total, 10 main icons are getting this update, reflecting a more coherent, connected experience designed for the new era of AI-driven intelligent productivity.
The new Microsoft 365 icons. (Source: Microsoft)
After several years without major visual changes, Microsoft is preparing a redesign for the icons of its Office suite. This time, the approach is clear: a fresher aesthetic, with translucent touches and a design that better aligns with the visual style set by Copilot.
Beyond new features, Microsoft’s Office suite (which includes well-known tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is also evolving visually. From its interface to its icons, everything has been gradually adjusted over time to remain relevant and easy to use.
The last major update to these icons was in 2018. Since then, they’ve remained virtually unchanged… until now. This redesign not only modernizes their appearance but also strengthens Office’s visual identity within Microsoft’s broader ecosystem.
Evolution of the Office 365 Icons
In a recent post on the Microsoft Design website, Jon Friedman (Corporate Vice President of Design and Research for Microsoft 365) shared some interesting details about Office’s new look. According to him, the icons for the suite’s 10 main applications hadn’t been updated since 2018. But now, with this redesign, Microsoft is aiming for more than just an aesthetic refresh—it wants to reinforce the concept of connection, the same goal it had a few years ago.
What’s new in this visual proposal is a clear focus on fluidity, playfulness, and simplicity. The icons now appear more accessible and intuitive, with clean, modern shapes. One of the most noticeable changes is the use of color: this time, the gradients aren’t subtle—they’re vivid, rich, and full of contrast. The transitions between tones are designed to stand out, giving each icon its own personality while maintaining overall cohesion.
All of this, according to Friedman, is meant to deliver a visual experience that feels more approachable, dynamic, and aligned with the new era of productivity that Microsoft is building with tools like Copilot.
The New Word Icon Combines Visual Simplicity with a Renewed Essence (Source: Microsoft Design)
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One of the most interesting changes in this Microsoft Office redesign is the visual simplification of its icons. They now feature a cleaner design that’s easier to recognize. For instance, the Word icon has gone from four horizontal bars to just three, improving legibility—especially on smaller screens.
The goal is no longer to convey rigidity or solidity with strong lines. Instead, the new icons lean into a softer, more fluid, and accessible aesthetic. Sharp edges have been replaced with subtle curves, aligning with the visual style Microsoft has been adopting through Fluent Design.
These changes will begin rolling out in the coming weeks across all platforms: web, desktop, and mobile. They will be available for both business accounts and Microsoft 365 users.
In addition to updating the interface, this redesign reinforces the new visual identity of the Microsoft ecosystem, closely aligned with the modern experience offered by Windows 11.