‘New Office version gets dark color scheme and Clippy-like assistant’

Microsoft has given a Technical Preview of a new Office version to friendly parties, The Verge reports. Among other things, the office suite would offer an optional dark color theme and a ‘Clippy-like’ help function.

The assistant offers the user a search function like the famous Clippy paperclip from older Office versions. The assistant must also help the user get started with certain Office functionality. The assistant would, however, operate less conspicuously, by only displaying an icon and input field just above the Office Ribbon toolbar. Microsoft has been offering the so-called Tell Me helper in its Office Online web apps for some time.

According to The Verge, Microsoft will also come with a dark color theme in the upcoming Office version. This should increase the contrast with the mostly white work screen. The arrival of a dark color theme would be a common wish among Office users. By the way, lighter color themes will also remain available.

The Technical Preview also offers automatic image rotation based on metadata in a photo. In addition, Outlook will have the option to synchronize e-mails for a certain period of time, from one day to two weeks. The current Outlook version only offers a month.

Microsoft will probably offer the renewed Office to Office 365 subscribers. It is not yet clear when ‘Office 16’ will be available.