Microsoft has revolutionized the look of its office suite several times over the past few decades, but never before has so much excitement been generated around simple icons. The imminent arrival of new 3D icons for Microsoft 365 —the revamped version of Office— marks a turning point, not only in the aesthetics of its applications but also as a reflection of the company's shift in technological priorities and its integration with the latest design trends.
Can an icon really change the perception of a work tool? The answer is a resounding yes. In this article you will find all the details.
The inspiration behind the new 3D icons in Microsoft 365
After more than seven years maintaining the same look, Microsoft is preparing to make the leap towards a new visual stage in its suite of productivity applications with modern, three-dimensional icons. The starting point was the latest major renovation in 2018, when the already familiar Fluent Design, which brought a cleaner, more coherent aesthetic with a tendency toward flat shapes and bright colors. Now, the trend is shifting toward 3D, But without losing the essence of the identity of each application.
The decision to work on these new 3D icons It arises from the need to offer a more immersive and intuitive visual experience, adapted to the new language that Microsoft is implementing, especially since the arrival of Windows 11 and its 3D emojisThe idea is to create Icons with depth, soft shadows, rounded corners, and a color palette that facilitates immediate identification of each app, but giving it volume and visual appeal.
This redesign is still experimental, and Microsoft is actively reaching out to its community of loyal users to evaluate feedback and gather suggestions. Through surveys and leaks on social media and forums, some of the graphic proposals have already emerged, promising a visual convergence between the company's various services.
How and why icons change
The change in iconography isn't just a whim of aesthetics. According to various sources and testimonies from users who participated in email surveys, Microsoft carefully studies public reaction before making a final decision.These surveys showcase the new proposals and invite participants to explain their impressions: whether they convey a modern feel, whether they seem associated with the integration of artificial intelligence, or whether they are distinctive enough to avoid confusion between applications.
The design team seeks above all to reinforce the intuition and accessibility. One of the most frequent criticisms of the current set of icons was the difficulty in quickly distinguishing between apps with similar color palettes. Now, each 3D icon will feature More recognizable shapes and layers, with volumetric details and depth that helps identify the application at a glance.
Furthermore, the Fluent 2 language, the evolution of the design system that Microsoft uses in its most recent products. Fluent 2 abandons the rigidity of flat design and opts for surfaces, reflections, gradients and subtle animations that improve the attractiveness and user experience, both on desktops and mobile devices.
A highlight is the presence of rounded corners —in line with Windows 11—, as well as the incorporation of Shadow effects, updated typography and lighting nuances to update the interface and align it with current trends in software and hardware.
Which Microsoft 365 apps feature the new 3D icons?
The update process covers all core applications included in the Microsoft 365 suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, among others. This is not just a superficial change, since Login screens, dark mode, and secondary visual elements are also being reviewed. to maintain consistency throughout the user experience.
These 3D icons, in addition to improving readability and distinction, They aim to better connect with new generations of users accustomed to a digital aesthetic that's very different from just a decade ago. Microsoft understands that appearance has a direct impact on product perception, its usability, and its ability to convey innovation.
On the other hand, some standalone Microsoft Office variants —such as the Office 2024 version for those who don't want to subscribe to Microsoft 365—will also implement these changes, allowing for a consistent visual experience across both subscriptions and one-time licenses.
How to leverage and customize icons and 3D models in Microsoft 365
The Microsoft 365 ecosystem goes far beyond its app icons. The suite's programs—primarily Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio—allow you to insert, manipulate, and customize 3D models to enhance documents, presentations, and diagrams.
En Vision, although most elements are two-dimensional, they can be used 3D stencils integrated through the Shapes window. Just click on More shapes and select the options that include the term "3D." You can also search online, either in the official Microsoft library or on equipment manufacturer websites or on MVP community portals specializing in Visio.
Once you have downloaded a 3D stencil, simply copy it to the folder My waysWithin My Documents. So, when you open Visio, the custom gallery will appear in the Shapes window, ready to be inserted and used in your diagrams. Microsoft offers additional help for importing external galleries and getting the most out of them.
Insert 3D models into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
One of the biggest advances in the most recent versions of the suite, both in perpetual and subscription licenses, is the possibility of Insert 3D objects and models directly from local files or from an online library.
To do this, go to the tab Insert on the ribbon of any of these applications and select Models 3D. You can choose From a file if you have the model saved on your computer, or select From online origins to explore the gallery that Microsoft makes available to you, with a wide variety of images and 3D objects ready to use.
With the templates already inserted, you have various controls to customize them: rotate or tilt the object in any direction; adjust the size dragging the corners; and apply predefined views from the 3D Model Views gallery, which makes it easy to highlight the object from the ideal perspective for each situation.
La Align tool helps you position the image within the page or slide precisely, while Pan & Zoom allows you to define which part of the object will be visible and its final scale. In addition, you can access the Selection panel to manage the visibility of multiple 3D elements in the same file.
Compatibility and technical details: what do you need to use 3D models?
The 3D models They are supported in the latest versions of Microsoft 365, as well as in Office 2024 and Office 2021 on Windows and macOS platforms. However, for Macs, you must have at least macOS version 10.12; earlier versions are not supported.
For mobile users, the functionality is also present in Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Windows MobileManagement is equally simple: from the Insert tab, select 3D models and access the gallery, both locally and online.
The options menu allows adjust how the text behaves around the 3D object (wrap text, put in front of or behind other elements, etc.), as well as accurately defining the size, position and rotation using numerical values for situations requiring millimetric precision.
In case the user inserts 3D models into emails (available from Outlook 2019 onwards), it is important to keep in mind that Models are automatically converted into images when submitted, so the recipient will not be able to edit them, although they will enjoy the visual aspect in the message.
3D Icons and Artificial Intelligence in Microsoft 365
One of the issues Microsoft is assessing through its surveys is how The image of the new 3D icons can influence the perception of artificial intelligence in the suite. AI integration has been a key focus of recent product strategy: document analysis, text and image generation using Copilot, and other advanced tools have now arrived in core Microsoft 365 programs.
The redesign of icons aims to reflect modernity and evolution without losing the recognizable essence that identifies Office worldwide. Therefore, while AI features will continue to receive their own badge, the base app icons remain consistent and focus on visual continuity and clarity.
This strategy allows for changes to be adopted without alienating traditional users or confusing those new to the Microsoft ecosystem.
The update of 3D icons and support for three-dimensional models constitute a natural and necessary evolution To keep Microsoft 365 at the center of today's creativity, productivity, and technology. Ready to explore a new visual universe in your favorite tools?