Workflows

Smartsheet Workflow Dark Mode

Grid Tools dark mode covers the Smartsheet grid, but the workflow editor opens as a bright white canvas. Anyone who works in dark mode across the rest of Smartsheet — or uses their OS dark setting — gets a jarring flash of white every time they open or edit an automation.

Without Grid Tools

The daily workaround

Bright canvas in dark sessions: The workflow editor ignores the OS or Grid Tools dark setting and always renders a white background, forcing a visual context switch.
Eye strain on long automation builds: Complex workflows with many cards require extended time in the editor, and the all-white canvas causes fatigue in low-light environments.
Inconsistent experience: Switching between the sheet grid and the workflow editor means toggling between dark and bright interfaces repeatedly in the same session.
No native workaround: Smartsheet does not expose a dark mode setting for the workflow editor, so users have no built-in option to address the contrast issue.

Screenshot: Workflow editor default bright white canvas

Default bright white canvas in the workflow editor

Screenshot: Contrast between dark sheet grid and bright workflow editor

Jarring contrast switching from dark sheet to bright workflow editor

Screenshot: White card surfaces and bright panels

White card surfaces and bright panels with no dark option

With Grid Tools

How Grid Tools handles it

Dark canvas in the workflow editor: The workflow editor background, card surfaces, and panel controls adopt the same dark palette as the rest of the Grid Tools dark theme.
Consistent across Smartsheet screens: Switching between the sheet grid and the workflow editor no longer causes a bright flash — both surfaces use the same dark treatment.
Follows your existing dark mode preference: No separate toggle needed — the workflow dark mode activates whenever the Grid Tools dark theme is active.
Readable card text and controls: Trigger and action card labels, field labels, and dropdown controls all render with sufficient contrast against the dark background.

Screenshot: Workflow editor canvas in dark mode

Workflow editor canvas in dark mode

Screenshot: Trigger and action cards with dark styling

Trigger and action cards with dark styling

Screenshot: Workflow side panel controls in dark mode

Workflow side panel controls in dark mode

Frequently asked questions

Does Smartsheet have a built-in dark mode for the workflow editor?

No. Smartsheet's workflow editor always renders on a white canvas regardless of OS dark mode settings or any other preference. Grid Tools is the only way to apply a dark theme to the workflow editor.

Do I need to enable workflow dark mode separately from the main Grid Tools dark mode?

No. Workflow dark mode is part of the same Grid Tools dark theme. When dark mode is active via Grid Tools, the workflow editor is covered automatically.

Does dark mode affect all parts of the workflow editor — cards, panels, and dropdowns?

Yes. The dark treatment covers the canvas background, trigger and action cards, configuration panels, and most control surfaces inside the editor.

Will workflow dark mode affect how my automations actually run?

No. Dark mode is a visual-only change applied in the browser. It has no effect on automation logic, triggers, conditions, or actions.

Smartsheet Workflow Dark Mode

The daily workaround

How Grid Tools handles it

Frequently asked questions

Related solutions

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Smartsheet Generate Document Dark Mode

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