Short Version
SharePoint page editing tools, including web part toolbars and property panes, are moving to a neutral-themed UI instead of inheriting your site’s branding colours. Site branding will still apply to your page content, just not to the editing controls themselves. Due late August to early September 2026.
Details
Currently, the tools you use to edit a SharePoint page, such as web part toolbars and property panes, pick up your site’s branding colours. With this update, those editing controls switch to a standard, neutral colour scheme instead, creating a clearer visual separation between the system controls you use to edit and the content you’re actually authoring.
Your site branding still applies to the page content itself, but not to the editing UI. The change is designed to improve usability, accessibility, and consistency across both light and dark themes, and is part of the wider SharePoint visual refresh.
Use the slide to compare before/after:
If you build or manage custom or third-party SharePoint Framework web parts, it’s worth checking how their toolbars and property panes render under the new neutral theme.
Availability
Due late August to early September 2026.
Source, related links and references
MC1426716.
Images: Microsoft.
Roadmap ID 566698.
See what else is new for SharePoint.
Page originally published
15th July 2026.
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