Overview
Headings help organize content in a way that allows users to quickly navigate and locate relevant information. Properly using heading styles ensures your digital content is structured and easy to interpret.
Word Template
Take the guesswork out of whether your headings are accessible or not. Use the template below with Heading styles that are already digitally accessible.
Download
Download this accessible Word template. Please use the built-in Heading Styles to create consistent and digitally accessible materials. Follow the best practices shown in the videos below.
Use Headings in Word
Headings are identified using Word’s built-in heading styles, which creates a structure that screen readers can navigate.
- Heading styles are found on the Home Tab in the upper-left corner of the Word app. Next, click the Styles Pane to expand the Styles list (which opens on the right-hand side of your Word app). Now you can easily format your document and make it accessible.
- Every document should begin with Heading 1, which introduces the main topic and establishes the structure for the rest of the document.
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- To change the Heading style, select the text that will be Heading 1. Then, in the Styles Pane, click Heading 1.
- Use Heading 2 for major sections of the document. When you start a new major section, always return to Heading 2.
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- To apply a second-level Heading style, select the text that will be Heading 2. Then choose Heading 2 in the Styles pane.
- Use Heading 3 for subsections within a major section.
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- If you do not see a Heading 3 in the Styles pane, it will show up as soon as you create a Heading 2.
Best Practices
- Use the WSU Word template, which has accessibility built in.
- Headings must follow a logical order, so it’s important not to skip levels. For example, a Heading 3 should never follow a Heading 1 without a Heading 2 in between.
- Use the Word Styles pane to format your document.
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Do not use bold text or larger fonts to make text appear to be a heading.
These changes affect appearance, not structure; screen readers don’t recognize them as headings. Apply a heading style to make your document accessible. Use the WSU Word template with built-in accessibility.
- Do not use a heading style for its appearance instead of structuring content.
Resources
- WSU Core Concepts: Headings.
- Create an Accessible Microsoft Word Document. Key steps in making your Microsoft Word document more accessible.
- How to use the Word Accessibility Checker.
- Microsoft: Improve accessibility with the Accessibility Checker.
- Microsoft: Make your content accessible to everyone with the Accessibility Checker.
Need assistance?
Contact the Digital Accessibility Team if you have questions, need one-on-one support, or need additional training.
Contact the Digital Accessibility Team