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Office Tab: Color-code tabs in Office applications

Author Sun Last modified

When many documents are open at once, color-coding tabs helps you spot the right file instantly. Office Tab adds a tab for each open document in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and lets you assign a custom color to any tab in seconds.

Add color to a tab

Assign a color to highlight important files or group related documents.

  1. Right-click the document’s tab on the tab bar.
  2. Choose Tab Color, then pick a color from the submenu.

Add color to a tab

Result: The tab updates to the chosen color immediately; save the file to keep this color when you reopen it.

The tab updates to the chosen color

Remove or reset a tab’s color

  1. Right-click the tab.
  2. Choose Tab Color → Default to return it to the standard color.

The tab updates to the Default color

Note: A tab’s color is associated with that file’s current path. If you move or rename the file, its tab color may revert to the default when reopened.

Change default tab colors (Classic Tab style only)

If you’re using the Classic Tab style, you can customize the default tab colors used by your Office app:

  1. Go to Office Tab > Options Center.
  2. Open Tabs for (application) Options → Style & Color.
  3. Check Customize Tab Colors, then choose your preferred scheme.

✅ Use cases:

  • Prioritize work: Color urgent files to keep them visually prominent.
  • Group by task or client: Assign the same color to related documents for quick scanning.
  • Reduce misclicks: Mark reference tabs in a softer color so you don’t close them by accident.

Tips:

  • Color-coding affects the tab UI only—it does not change the document’s content or formatting.
  • Repeat the steps to apply colors to other tabs; you can mix different colors across tabs.
  • If you frequently need the same color scheme, consider using the Classic Tab style’s default color customization (above).

🛠 Troubleshooting:

  • My tab color disappeared: If the file was moved/renamed or opened from a different location, the color may reset to default.
  • I can’t find “Tab Color”: Ensure Office Tab is enabled for the app (check Office Tab Center), then right-click directly on the document’s tab.
  • Colors look dull: Your Windows theme or high-contrast settings can affect appearance. Try another color or review theme settings.

FAQs

Does tab color persist after I close and reopen the file?
Yes, as long as the file remains in the same location and name on your device. Moving or renaming it can reset the color.
Will tab color carry over if I send the file to someone else?
No. The color is a local UI setting in Office Tab. It doesn’t travel with the file.
Can I apply one color to many tabs at once?
Apply colors tab by tab using the context menu. Repeat for each tab you want to color.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for Tab Color?
There isn’t a default shortcut. Use the tab’s right-click menu to set the color.

Office Tab Brings Tabbed interface to Office, Make Your Work Much Easier

  • Enable tabbed editing and reading in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Visio and Project.
  • Open and create multiple documents in new tabs of the same window, rather than in new windows.
  • Increases your productivity by 50%, and reduces hundreds of mouse clicks for you every day!
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