The next version of Microsoft Office will feature new Fluent Design experiences

Office desktop
Office desktop (Image credit: Windows Central)

A leaked video on Twitter has today unveiled a bunch of new design changes coming soon to Microsoft's Office suite of apps and Office Web, which feature Fluent Design elements in the ribbon UI and more.

The two minute video briefly showcases improved design experiences in the Office Web Portal, as well as Word Online, which now features subtle animations when switching between tabs in the ribbon, as well as a much cleaner UI that looks and feels a lot more like an actual app.

The desktop apps are also receiving these same design updates, with Word desktop supporting the same animations and clean user interfaces found in the Office Online apps. It doesn't appear the apps feature any Acrylic blur effects, but there is use of shadow and animation, both of which are part of Microsoft's Fluent Design System.

Microsoft is yet to make any official announcement about upcoming user experience changes to Office, but when they do you can be sure we'll keep you updated on the news. Insiders haven't yet seen these updates hit preview rings, but it shouldn't be too long before Microsoft begins testing the new Office user interfaces publicly.

This is also likely our first proper look at Office 2019, with a redesigned experience that better matches the rest of Microsoft's design across products and services. The video also reveals the ability to turn on "Coming Soon" features, which are features in the works that customers can get access to sooner. The new visual design is one of the first changes to be part of the new Coming Soon option.

What do you think of these upcoming changes? Let us know in the comments!

Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads