Background information
Microsoft 365 introduces AI features and price increase
by Martin Jud
Are those the new Microsoft Office logos?
10/4/2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Michelle Brändle
In a Microsoft survey, the company’s asking for feedback on possible new icons for the Office Suite. After all, the last time they were updated was seven years ago.
A Reddit user is invited to a survey by Microsoft. Among other things, the company wants to know what he and other respondents think about a revision of the Microsoft logos. The results from the survey might determine whether the new icons will actually be introduced.
More than seven years have passed since the last refresh of the Office icons (Microsoft 265). The icons from 2018 don’t look old-fashioned at all. Nevertheless, the design of Windows 11 has more 3D effects and a rounded finish so the new icons would fit the overall picture better.
Source: jbgski/Reddit
Overall, I think the new logos are friendly and inviting. Only PowerPoint seems a bit bulky to me with this cashew-like shape in a circle. What is nice, however, is that the new icons show more details than their predecessors. This isn’t always the case: many logo refreshes have now fallen for the trend towards stark minimalism. It’s about time we had more attention to detail again!
But if you’re looking back with rose-tinted glasses – and think the logos used to be better – let me take you down memory lane. I present to you a selection of Office program logos from 1983 onwards. By the way, if you’re looking for even more updates from the past, my source for the following compilation is 1000Logos.
Microsoft Word: the journey of a classic
The Word program has a long history behind it. It began as early as 1983 for the creation of texts and has been indispensable ever since.
Microsoft PowerPoint: the tool for presentations
Microsoft launched PowerPoint in 1990. Since then, it’s been used to create presentations using slides. There are now no limits to creativity with the options to create animations, moving texts and images.
Microsoft Excel: for spreadsheet enthusiasts
With Microsoft Excel, you can do maths using simple and complex tables. If you know the right formulas, that is.
Outlook: from Hotmail to MSN to Microsoft
The Hotmail e-mail service was created in 1996 by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith. A year later, Microsoft took over the service in order to integrate its online services in the MSN family. Microsoft then launched Outlook.com in 2012, replacing Hotmail.
Since its beginnings, Outlook has been a tool that can do more than just compose e-mails. For example, you can create notes, convene meetings and use an integrated calendar. Personally, I’d like the new Outlook logo to be in golden yellow again.
OneDrive: the Windows cloud
Microsoft developed the OneDrive platform in 2007. Originally referred to as «Windows Live Folders», OneDrive serves as a cloud for your files and is now available in over 100 languages.
Header image: jbgski/Reddit
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
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