In Word, Canvas, and web editors, choose Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3 from the formatting tools—don’t rely on larger fonts or bold text to create structure.
7 Core Skills: Headings
Well-structured headings make content easier to read, understand, and navigate. They allow users to quickly scan a page or document and move directly to the sections that matter most. Using proper headings supports Ohio University’s accessibility standard, WCAG 2.1 AA, and is one of the most effective ways to improve digital accessibility across campus.
Why Are Headings Important?
Headings are especially important for people who use screen readers. Assistive technology can recognize and navigate real headings created with built-in tools, but it cannot detect visual styling like bold text, larger fonts, or different colors. When text only looks like a heading instead of being marked as one, screen reader users lose the ability to jump between sections and may be forced to listen to an entire page to find what they need.
Using proper heading styles creates clear structure that benefits everyone and ensures your content can be navigated effectively by people using assistive technology.
Top 3 Ways to Get Started
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Use Built-In Heading Styles Instead of Visual Formatting
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Create a Clear, Logical Outline
Use one main heading for the page or document, then organize content under smaller subheadings in order.
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Write Headings That Describe the Content That Follows
Short, meaningful headings help readers understand what each section is about at a glance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Making text look like a heading by changing the font size or color
- Skipping heading levels (for example, jumping from Heading 1 to Heading 4)
- Using headings only for visual emphasis instead of structure
- Creating multiple Heading 1s in the same document
Small changes to these habits can dramatically improve accessibility.
Most tools you already use include built-in heading features:
- Microsoft Word and PowerPoint – Styles menu with Heading 1, 2, and 3
- Canvas – Rich Content Editor heading options
- Web editors – CMS heading tools that create proper HTML structure
- Accessibility checkers – Often flag missing or incorrect heading structure
Before publishing or sharing content, use the accessibility checker in your tool to confirm headings are applied correctly.
If you want to learn more about headings and accessibility, these resources provide additional background:
- Understanding headings in WCAG 2.1 – Success Criterion 1.3.1: Info and Relationships
- WebAIM: Headings
- Microsoft: Use Headings to Improve Document Accessibility
- Canvas Guide: Using Heading Styles in the Rich Content Editor
Ask yourself, “If someone could only see my headings, would they understand the structure of my content?” If the answer is “yes,” then you’re on the right track.