Microsoft has reportedly revealed some new 3D Office icons in an email survey.
In a recent discovery that has set the tech community abuzz, eagle-eyed Reddit users spotted what appear to be redesigned Office icons included in a Microsoft email survey. First reported by Windows Central, the survey offered recipients a sneak peek at the potential new icons and invited feedback on the visual overhaul of popular Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
A 3D Evolution for Office Icons
The most striking change? These updated icons take on a more vivid, 3D aesthetic, aligning closely with Microsoft’s current design direction. They echo the vibrant and playful style seen in the 3D emoji introduced in Windows 11 back in 2023, reflecting a continued shift towards more tactile and expressive visuals.
This is part of Microsoft’s broader push to modernize its user interface using its Fluent 2 design language—a design system focused on clarity, consistency, and immersive experiences. As part of that initiative, Microsoft has also rolled out a sleek new sign-in interface featuring dark mode, minimalistic UI elements, and improved accessibility.
A Look Back: When Office Icons Last Got a Makeover
It’s been quite a while since Microsoft gave its Office app icons a makeover. The last major redesign dates back to 2018, when the tech giant introduced a cleaner, more minimal visual identity for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the rest of the suite. That redesign emphasized a flatter, simpler look and came hand-in-hand with an updated ribbon UI and the adoption of the original Fluent design system.
Now, it seems Microsoft is ready to step into the next phase of its visual evolution, embracing depth, dimension, and a friendlier interface—a subtle but meaningful pivot that could reshape the everyday experience of millions of Office users worldwide.
Why This Matters
Office apps are core productivity tools for students, professionals, and businesses alike. A redesign of their icons might seem like a small aesthetic change, but these visual elements play a major role in user familiarity, brand recognition, and overall usability. By aligning Office’s look and feel with Windows 11’s ecosystem, Microsoft is ensuring a more cohesive experience across platforms and devices.
More than that, these icons reflect the direction of modern software design: moving away from overly flat visuals to more engaging and intuitive graphics that feel tangible and user-friendly.
What’s Next?
While Microsoft has not yet officially announced or confirmed the release of these new Office icons, this survey suggests the company is actively exploring feedback before finalizing and rolling them out. It’s possible these are just concept designs or part of an early test—but the fact that users are being polled signals that changes are very much on the horizon.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for an official comment on the status and future of the new Office icons. As of now, the company has not responded.
Final Thoughts
If these icons are any indication, Microsoft’s design evolution is not slowing down. From a modernized sign-in interface to the upcoming changes in app branding, the company is clearly committed to refining the visual experience across its product line.
Whether you’re a loyal Office user or simply a design enthusiast, these upcoming changes are worth watching. A more vibrant, three-dimensional Office could bring a refreshing twist to the tools we use every day.
Stay tuned—your taskbar might look a lot shinier soon.
