What and why:
Microsoft is improving the appearance of highlighted text while users compose messages in dark mode and high contrast mode. This update provides a more consistent and accessible editing experience by improving the visual presentation of highlighted content across supported themes.
Rollout schedule:
- Targeted Release (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-September 2026 and is expected to be complete by late September 2026.
- General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rollout will begin in late September 2026 and is expected to be complete by early October 2026.
Impact on your organization:
Who is affected:
- Users who compose messages using dark mode or high contrast mode.
Platforms and services:
- Microsoft 365 message-composition experiences that support text highlighting.
After this update:
- Highlighted text will display more consistently in dark mode and high contrast mode.
- Users may notice improved readability and a more uniform editing experience when working with highlighted content.
- This is a visual enhancement only. It does not change existing text-highlighting functionality or user workflows.
Action required / Recommendations:
No action is required. You may want to inform users about this visual improvement if your organization communicates Microsoft 365 experience updates to end users.
Compliance Considerations:
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.