How to make MS Excel cells display dark background with white text instead of the reverse which is default?

Question

By default, MS Excel cells displays white background with black text. This is glaring to the eyes. Some even find it painful. How can we make MS Excel to display black/dark background with white text instead?

I'm sure many of us will find this more comfortable to our eyes.

I am using MS Excel 2016 on Windows 10.

Answer 1

This updated code makes all sheets black and adds cell borders to simulate the grid lines;

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Dim xsheet As Worksheet

For Each xsheet In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
    xsheet.Select
    With Range(Cells(1, 1), Cells(1048576, 5000))
        .Interior.Color = vbBlack 'xlNone '
        .Font.Name = "Calibri"
        '.Font.Size = "11"
        .Font.Color = vbWhite 'vbBlack
        .Borders.LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .Borders.Weight = xlThin
        .Borders.ColorIndex = 49 'colors here http://dmcritchie.mvps.org/excel/colors.htm
    End With

Next xsheet


End Sub

Answer 2

The most easiest method I can suggest you is VBA (Macro).

Private Sub Workbook_Open()

Dim xsheet As Worksheet 

For Each xsheet In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets

ThisWorkbook.Sheets.Select
    With Range(Cells(1, 1), Cells(1048576, 5000))
        .Interior.Color = vbCyan
        .Font.Name = "Calibri"
        .Font.Size = "11"
        .Font.Color = vbWhite
    End With
    Next xsheet
End Sub

How it works:

1. Press Alt+F11 to open VB editor.
2. Find & Click the This Workbook Icon.
3. Select Workbook from left Dropdown & Open from right Dropdown.
4. Copy & Paste lines from ThisWorkbook.Sheets.Select to End With & Save the Workbook.

Next time when you open the Workbook, you find the new look.

Note, Sheet's dimension, Interior & Font Color as well as Font name & size are editable.