Why do documents display differently from desktop to online?

This has been a REALLY BAD issue since Microsoft rolled out the browser apps.

I have documents with fields and nobody can use them because SharePoint/OneDrive default to opening docs online (yes, I know there is a way to change that - but the point is why should we have to?)

My templates always look messed up when opened online - it's annoying, embarrassing, and I constantly have to tell people it's just another instance of Microsoft rolling out new features before they are ready... which essentially makes the roll out pointless and I would assume is one of the reasons why people are turning to Google Docs, Sheets, etc.

Yes, Microsoft, I get that the browser apps are supposed to be more basic, but do you not get how stupid that is? Especially for business accounts?!

I find this to be especially poor thinking on Microsoft's part because it's trying to puff up it's collaboration capabilities, but who wants to collaborate online when the formatting of the (online) document being collaborated on is all messed up?

At a minimum, the default should be the actual app, with the option to default to the online version.

#MicrosoftFail

I have the same issue. And its not about my company, but yours. Your answer is the worst, like a bot who dont even care.
I am incredibly disappointed with the ongoing issues in all your apps.
Everyone, globally, seems to be suffering from the same problems, and it’s unacceptable. I spent hours on a document, only to find its formatting completely ruined when opened online.
This is yours responsibility and your issue, not of your clients.

This has caused major inconvenience.

As someone forced to use your services due to my company’s partnership with Microsoft, I am deeply frustrated. Your failure to provide reliable services, despite charging for them, is inexcusable. I urge you to address these issues immediately or reconsider your place in the market. The worst company ever....

I primarily use the desktop app for authoring documents, but during meetings, it’s more convenient to use the online app. However, I frequently encounter formatting issues online that don't appear in the desktop version. As an advanced user who conducts team trainings on file sharing and collaboration best practices, I often create templates and share them via links.

The problem arises when colleagues open the link in the online app and waste time pointing out formatting errors that aren’t actually there. The document is perfectly formatted in the desktop app, but it’s displayed incorrectly online. To avoid confusion, I always have to remind people to open the document in the desktop app to see the correct formatting.

Based on the lack of MS responses, I am guessing this is not a priority.

My feelings are exactly everything you said above. Especially the differences of features between the desktop and online versions and it's not like one has more and one has less. Desktop has features that Online doesn't and Online has features that desktop doesn't. Who at MS thought this was a good idea???

Sure thing. What I would like to do is provide you guys with a few screenshots of said issue so your team can see exactly what the issue is.

This is with using the online application of the software.

As you can see format is being crunched. Also if you look closely at the numerical slides on the left hand side while on the online version of the application, you can see that the format looks normal. But the way its choosing to display it is incorrect once selected

This is how it looks if we use the desktop application of the software.

To my knowledge this does not seem like a issue on our end and more so an issue with the software you guys are providing online. I have tried this document on a non-business laptop using the online application, and this still happens, So that means it's not us and something to do with the provided software by Microsoft.