Is there a normal.dotm file (or similar) that allows you to change the default formatting in online Word 365?

Question

Our organization is required to make documents that are accessible and would like to change the normal.dotm on the online version of Word much like we can do on the locally installed version of Word.

Answer 1

Dear @Ed Spitzbarth,

Good day, and I appreciate the detailed explanation of your concern. From my research, unfortunately, there is currently no direct equivalent to Normal.dotm (or a similar editable global default template) in Word for the web (Word Online / Microsoft 365). In the web version, document creation does not rely on a user-accessible default template in the same way as the desktop application.

As a workaround, you may consider creating and using a custom starter document:

• In the desktop Word app, modify styles (especially Normal and headings for accessibility), fonts, paragraph spacing, etc., then save as a .docx in OneDrive.
• In Word for the web: Open that file > File > Save As to create a copy for new documents.
• This is the most commonly suggested method, though it requires an extra "Save As" step each time.

If this is a feature you would like to see, I suggest keeping an eye on the Microsoft Word blog or the Microsoft 365 Roadmap | Microsoft 365 for any updates on this feature. In the meantime, I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. I also strongly recommend that you share your detailed experience and feedback directly with the Microsoft product team through their official channels. This is the most effective way to make your voice heard and influence future feature improvements and adjustments.  You can visit the Word · Community to submit a new idea or vote on existing one. Microsoft product team is in charge of this site, and they constantly check customer reviews and feedback. The higher the number of votes, the more attention the team will pay to it. Many features are developed and improved based on customer feedback. As a moderator, I will also pass along your feedback to the appropriate team for further consideration. While we don't directly influence product design, user feedback is actively reviewed and helps prioritize future development. If you’re unable to submit feedback yourself, please feel free to reach out to me, and I’ll be happy to submit it on your behalf. 

Thank you again for your understanding as Microsoft continues to evolve these products. Your input is valuable not only for product improvement but also for helping other users in the community find the right guidance more easily.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions. I’m always happy to help. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead!

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Answer 2

Word for the web (online Word 365) does not use the local Normal.dotm template and does not provide an equivalent Normal.dotm file that can be customized to change default formatting globally for all online documents.

Default formatting in Word on Windows or Mac can be customized by editing the Normal.dotm template locally (for example, in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Templates on Windows or the corresponding Templates folder on Mac), but these changes apply only to the desktop Word client, not to Word for the web.

To enforce accessible defaults for users working in Word for the web, use alternative approaches such as:

• Providing organization-approved template documents (created in desktop Word with the desired styles and accessibility settings) and having users create new documents based on those templates.
• Standardizing styles and formatting in Normal.dotm on desktop clients where possible, understanding that these settings do not automatically propagate to Word for the web.

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References:

• Change the Normal template (Normal.dotm )
• Change the default settings for new documents
• How to set the default font for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint