Forum Discussion
Customising the default template in the online version of Word
Word online (the browser program) and for that matter any Word program other than the desktop applications do not really use templates, certainly not in the way that the desktop applications do.
You could, in one of the desktop applications, create a document formatted the way you want and save that on OneDrive. Then when you open it, immediately save as a copy and use that for your new document.
See Compare Word features on different platforms - Office Support.
- These programs are all named Word and they are all created and published by Microsoft.
- They all can edit the same document files that have the same file structure. Some of the programs have no control over some of the document structures.
- But, they are different programs with different features and controls.
As of November, 2023, the most powerful one of these, with the most features, is the Windows desktop application from Microsoft 365. I do not expect that to change. The perpetual license version Word 2021 is very close as far as features but does not receive new features as added.
The Macintosh desktop application is second with number of features. The things available in the Windows version not yet on the Mac version include Content Controls, Building Blocks, UserForms, and ActiveX. It can use, but cannot create, or modify most Content Controls. AutoText is a Building Block that the Mac can and does use.
The browser version of Word – Word Online – has a Transcribe feature that has recently been added to the Windows desktop version of Microsoft 365’s Word. It also has the ability to Export to PowerPoint (although not that usefully). Otherwise, the browser version has far fewer features and editing in it has been reported to mess up automatic numbering. Chromebooks use a version of this or of the Android mobile app. Differences between using a document in the browser and in the Word desktop application
The mobile applications (Android/IOS, etc.) vary somewhat but have far fewer features. I would use them for note taking and for quick viewing/printing, but not for editing. Especially not for editing long or complex documents. What you can do in the Microsoft 365 apps on mobile devices with a Microsoft 365 subscription
Note that the statements about capabilities and usefulness are my opinions, not anything from Microsoft.ro
If it's not possible, this is a fundamental flaw. Organisations spend huge amounts of money creating, deploying and enforcing their branding and house style. Word online is a maverick, undermining all of that work.
- The versions feature of Dropbox and SharePoint can be useful, but problems with that have also been shown.
I suppose you could store your pattern documents on a hard-drive in read-only format and sync them to the cloud on a regular basis to ameliorate the situation. This would overwrite the changes. No argument here.
I think naming these different programs "Word" is misleading.
They are good compatible programs but they are not the same.
This is part of the reason I say:
I would use it for note taking and for quick viewing/printing, but not for editing. Especially not for editing long or complex documents.