Word Web App missing check mark (tick mark) symbols

Thanks for your reply George, please see my response to Charles for extra detail and screenshots.

Thanks for your reply Charles,

You are correct, the issue is with content control check boxes and it is the checked symbol that is changing. The issue doesn't seem to present itself in new documents created in Word Online, the check box initially works as expected. Once opened in the desktop app the check mark changes to 'R'. After that it happens in both Word desktop and Word online.

Our users generally use Edge or Chrome, Firefox is not installed by default.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for posting in the community. We are happy to help you.

Please note that the Word web app has fewer features than the Word desktop app. Currently, it is not available to expand the symbol set for Word for Web. I recommend you post a suggestion in Microsoft Feedback Portal where members also post their suggestions here. It's the platform for us to hear your voice and improve our products.

However, based on my test, once I add the Wingdings check mark symbol in the Word desktop app, then save the change, and reopen the document in Word for Web, the Wingdings check mark symbol still displays well in Word for Web (as shown in the screenshot below). Since you mentioned Word for Web automatically changes the check mark to 'R', could you please provide more details, like screenshots? You can click the "Insert Image" button to upload them.

We look forward to your response. Thanks for your cooperation.

Sincerely, 

George | Microsoft Community Moderator

We have an issue where the Word Web App (Word for Web?) appears to be missing Wingdings symbols.

Documents created in Word for Microsoft 365 can have Wingdings check mark symbols (character code 254) inserted. When these files are saved to SharePoint Online they open in the browser version of Word by default. The browser version of Word appears to have a very limited symbol set and automatically changes the check mark to 'R' (the capital letter). This persists if the file is then Opened in the Desktop App and is very frustrating for our users. Is there a way to expand the symbol set available in the browser version of Word? Replacing the check mark symbol in existing SharePoint Online documents is not a feasible option.

The option to change font that is present in the Word desktop app does not appear to be present in the browser version (see screenshot above).

This has to be frustrating.

Which browser are you using?

Using FireFox on Windows, I am not seeing the replacement. Wingdings is available as a font' as well.

That is, when I open a document with the checkmark in Word online, it remains.

Is this perhaps a Content Control?