This is a frustrating problem, and the fact that it persists across every workbook, even fresh ones, tells us it's not a file-level glitch. The user has done the right troubleshooting: checked view settings, ruled out dark mode, confirmed the subscription is current. That the "Sheet View" option is grayed out is the real clue. It suggests a display rendering issue tied to Excel's interaction with Windows graphics settings, specifically how the program handles hardware acceleration or high-contrast themes. For anyone facing this, the fix is simpler than it looks. Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll to the Display section, and uncheck "Disable hardware graphics acceleration." Then restart Excel. If that doesn't work, check Windows' "Contrast Themes" setting, sometimes an accidental toggle can strip label colors without affecting cell backgrounds.
What this reveals about spreadsheets today is that even mature tools can hide basic controls behind layers of menus. The user shouldn't need to Google for hours or post on Reddit to recover row and column labels. That's a design failure, not a user error. Modern spreadsheet tools, especially those embracing AI, should surface these fixes proactively. If your software detects a rendering anomaly that affects navigation, it should offer a one-click reset, not force you to hunt through menus. The gap between what users need and what legacy tools deliver is exactly where innovation belongs.
For anyone still stuck after trying the hardware acceleration fix, there's one more step. Open the Windows Settings app, go to Personalization > Colors, and ensure "Transparency effects" is turned off. This has been known to interfere with Excel's label rendering in recent builds. If the problem persists, a repair install of Office via the Control Panel's Programs and Features menu will restore default display behavior without losing your files. The user's frustration is valid, but the fix is within reach, and that's the point. A tool that can't help you find its own settings isn't empowering you. It's making you work harder than you should.