Understanding SharePoint Online Themes

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 127 views

Introduction

SharePoint Online is a powerful platform for creating and managing websites, intranets, and extranets. One of the key features of SharePoint Online is its ability to customize the look and feel of your site through themes. However, when it comes to subsites, you may want to apply different themes to different pages within the same subsite. In this article, we will explore the possibility of setting different themes for different pages in a SharePoint Online subsite.

Understanding SharePoint Online Themes

Before we dive into the customization process, it's essential to understand how SharePoint Online themes work. A theme in SharePoint Online is a set of visual elements that define the look and feel of your site, including colors, fonts, and images. Themes are applied to a site at the site level, and they can be customized using the SharePoint Online theme editor.

Limitations of SharePoint Online Themes

While SharePoint Online themes provide a lot of flexibility in customizing the look and feel of your site, there are some limitations when it comes to applying different themes to different pages within a subsite. By default, a theme is applied to an entire site, including all subsites and pages within that site. This means that if you apply a theme to a subsite, it will be applied to all pages within that subsite.

Workarounds for Customizing Themes per Page

So, how can you apply different themes to different pages within a SharePoint Online subsite? While there isn't a built-in feature to do this, there are a few workarounds that you can use to achieve this level of customization.

1. Use a Master Page

One way to apply different themes to different pages within a subsite is to use a master page. A master page is a template that defines the layout and structure of a page, including the header, footer, and navigation. You can create a custom master page that applies a specific theme to a page, and then apply that master page to the relevant pages within your subsite.

To create a custom master page, follow these steps:

Go to the SharePoint Online site where you want to create the custom master page.
Click on the "Site Settings" gear icon in the top right corner of the page.
Click on "Master Pages" under the "Look and Feel" section.
Click on "New" to create a new master page.
Select the "Blank Master Page" template and click "OK".
In the master page editor, add the necessary HTML and CSS code to apply the desired theme to the page.
Save the master page and apply it to the relevant pages within your subsite.

2. Use a Content Editor Web Part

Another way to apply different themes to different pages within a subsite is to use a Content Editor Web Part (CEWP). A CEWP is a web part that allows you to add custom HTML and CSS code to a page. You can use a CEWP to add a custom theme to a page, and then apply that theme to the relevant pages within your subsite.

To add a CEWP to a page, follow these steps:

Go to the SharePoint Online site where you want to add the CEWP.
Click on the "Edit" button in the top right corner of the page.
Click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
Click on "Web Part" and select "Content Editor".
Click "Add" to add the CEWP to the page.
In the CEWP editor, add the necessary HTML and CSS code to apply the desired theme to the page.
Save the CEWP and apply it to the relevant pages within your subsite.

3. Use a Custom Script

If you're comfortable with writing custom code, you can use a script to apply different themes to different pages within a subsite. You can use JavaScript or PowerShell to write a script that applies a custom theme to a page, and then applies that theme to the relevant pages within your subsite.

To write a custom script, follow these steps:

Go to the SharePoint Online site where you want to write the script.
Click on the "Site Settings" gear icon in the top right corner of the page.
Click on "Site Contents" under the "Site Administration" section.
Click on "New" to create a new script.
Select the "JavaScript" or "PowerShell" script type and click "OK".
In the script editor, add the necessary code to apply the desired theme to the page.
Save the script and apply it to the relevant pages within your subsite.

Conclusion

While SharePoint Online themes provide a lot of flexibility in customizing the look and feel of your site, there are some limitations when it comes to applying different themes to different pages within a subsite. However, by using workarounds such as master pages, Content Editor Web Parts, and custom scripts, you can apply different themes to different pages within a SharePoint Online subsite.

Best Practices

When customizing themes per page in a SharePoint Online subsite, keep the following best practices in mind:

Use a consistent naming convention for your themes and master pages.
Use a consistent layout and structure for your master pages.
Test your custom themes and master pages thoroughly before applying them to your site.
Use a version control system to track changes to your custom themes and master pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about customizing SharePoint Online subsites with unique themes per page.

Q: Can I apply different themes to different pages within a subsite in SharePoint Online?

A: Yes, you can apply different themes to different pages within a subsite in SharePoint Online. However, there isn't a built-in feature to do this. You can use workarounds such as master pages, Content Editor Web Parts, and custom scripts to achieve this level of customization.

Q: How do I create a custom master page in SharePoint Online?

A: To create a custom master page in SharePoint Online, follow these steps:

Go to the SharePoint Online site where you want to create the custom master page.
Click on the "Site Settings" gear icon in the top right corner of the page.
Click on "Master Pages" under the "Look and Feel" section.
Click on "New" to create a new master page.
Select the "Blank Master Page" template and click "OK".
In the master page editor, add the necessary HTML and CSS code to apply the desired theme to the page.
Save the master page and apply it to the relevant pages within your subsite.

Q: How do I add a Content Editor Web Part (CEWP) to a page in SharePoint Online?

A: To add a CEWP to a page in SharePoint Online, follow these steps:

Go to the SharePoint Online site where you want to add the CEWP.
Click on the "Edit" button in the top right corner of the page.
Click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
Click on "Web Part" and select "Content Editor".
Click "Add" to add the CEWP to the page.
In the CEWP editor, add the necessary HTML and CSS code to apply the desired theme to the page.
Save the CEWP and apply it to the relevant pages within your subsite.

Q: Can I use a custom script to apply different themes to different pages within a subsite in SharePoint Online?

A: Yes, you can use a custom script to apply different themes to different pages within a subsite in SharePoint Online. You can use JavaScript or PowerShell to write a script that applies a custom theme to a page, and then applies that theme to the relevant pages within your subsite.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with custom themes and master pages in SharePoint Online?

A: To troubleshoot issues with custom themes and master pages in SharePoint Online, follow these steps:

Check the SharePoint Online logs for any errors or warnings related to the custom theme or master page.
Verify that the custom theme or master page is properly applied to the page.
Test the custom theme or master page in a different browser or device to rule out any browser-specific issues.
Contact Microsoft support for further assistance if the issue persists.

Q: Can I use a third-party tool to customize themes and master pages in SharePoint Online?

A: Yes, you can use a third-party tool to customize themes and master pages in SharePoint Online. However, be sure to carefully evaluate the tool's compatibility with your SharePoint Online site and any potential security risks before using it.

Q: How do I maintain and update custom themes and master pages in SharePoint Online?

A: To maintain and update custom themes and master pages in SharePoint Online, follow these steps:

Regularly review and update the custom theme or master page to ensure it remains compatible with the latest SharePoint Online features and updates.
Use a version control system to track changes to the custom theme or master page.
Test the updated custom theme or master page thoroughly before applying it to your site.
Document any changes made to the custom theme or master page for future reference.

Conclusion

Customizing SharePoint Online subsites with unique themes per page requires some creativity and technical expertise. By using workarounds such as master pages, Content Editor Web Parts, and custom scripts, you can achieve this level of customization. However, be sure to carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits of using these workarounds and to follow best practices for maintaining and updating custom themes and master pages.