OneNote has a built-in dark mode that is enabled automatically based on your system configuration or can be enabled manually when needed. While the dark mode makes using the app easy on your eyes, there will be situations where you might want to turn off dark mode in OneNote. For instance, dark mode can sometimes make elements like images, tables, and graphs harder to read. Switching to light mode can improve visibility and color accuracy, especially when working with visual content or in well-lit environments.
Fortunately, you can disable dark mode in OneNote with just a couple of steps. This applies to all versions: OneNote for Windows 10, OneNote 2016, OneNote 2019, and Microsoft 365.
In this article, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to turn off dark mode in OneNote and switch to light mode. Let’s get started with adjusting your OneNote color settings.
Note: OneNote 2016, OneNote 2019, and Microsoft 365 are now simply called OneNote.
Disable Dark Mode in OneNote (OneNote 2016, OneNote 2019, and Microsoft 365)
- Press the Start button.
- Search for OneNote and click Open.
- Click the File option.
- Click Options on the sidebar.
- Go to the General tab.
- Select White or Colorful from the “Office Theme” dropdown menu.
- Click OK.
- With that, you’ve turned off dark mode in OneNote and switched to light mode.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, press the Start button to open the Start menu. In the Start menu, search for OneNote and click the Open option. This action opens the OneNote program.
Once it opens, click the File option on the top command bar.
Next, click the Options option on the sidebar.
In the Options dialog, go to the General tab, select White or Colorful from the “Office Theme” dropdown menu, and click OK.
Note: Selecting “Colorful” from the Office Theme dropdown adds OneNote’s brand color (purple) to the title bar and some UI buttons.
That’s it. The dark mode in OneNote is instantly disabled and switched to light mode.
Important Note: If you don’t see the changes immediately, restart the OneNote program.
Disable Dark Mode in OneNote for Windows 10
For Windows 10 users using OneNote downloaded from Microsoft Store (also known as OneNote for Windows 10), follow these steps:
- Press the Start button.
- Search for OneNote for Windows 10 and click Open.
- Click the three dots icon in the top-right corner of the window.
- Select Settings from the dropdown.
- Click Options in the “Settings” panel.
- Select Light under the “Color” section.
- With that, the dark mode is disabled in OneNote for Windows 10.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
To start off, open OneNote for Windows 10. To do that, open the Start menu, search for OneNote for Windows 10, and click Open. Once it opens, click the Settings and More (three dots) icon and select Settings.
In the Settings panel, select Options. This is where you can manage OneNote for Windows 10 settings.
Now, select the Light option under the “Color” section. You can also choose “Use my Windows mode” to match OneNote’s theme with your system settings.
That’s it. OneNote for Windows 10 instantly turns off the dark mode and switches to light mode. If you don’t see the changes immediately, try restarting the app.
Wrapping Up — Turning Off Dark Mode in OneNote
As you can see, disabling dark mode and switching to light mode in OneNote is fairly simple, whether you’re using the OneNote desktop app or OneNote for Windows 10. The exact steps vary slightly depending on your version, but the process remains straightforward as shown above.
For those using the OneNote desktop app, you can choose between the White or Colorful themes to disable dark mode. Keep in mind that selecting Colorful will add OneNote’s brand color (purple) to the title bar and UI buttons. Remember, while dark mode can be easier on the eyes in low-light conditions, light mode often provides better readability for visual content like images, graphs, and tables. Choose the mode that works best for your needs and working environment.
If you have any questions or need help with this process, feel free to comment below. I’ll be happy to assist you in optimizing your OneNote experience.
