Create an Accessible Word Document

Headings provide essential document structure for all users. Accessible headings need to be formatted using Styles, written effectively, and structured correctly.

Using Styles to create headings ensures that users of assistive technology can identify them programmatically (i.e., without the need for visual cues). This allows more users to effectively navigate Word documents.

Create or modify a heading using Styles

• Click on the appropriate heading number in Styles and begin typing in your document, or
• Highlight the appropriate text and click on the heading number in Styles
• Note: existing heading levels can also be adjusted in the Navigation Pane

How to set heading structure

• Use only heading levels 1-6 in Word documents
• Heading 1 is the title of the document
• Heading 2 is a section header
• Heading 3 is a subsection
• Never skip heading levels, for example:
  • a Heading 2 should never be followed by a Heading 4; however,
  • when beginning a new section, a Heading 4 can be followed by Heading 2.

How to write effective headings

• Make headings descriptive so that users know what the section is about
• Headings should be unique to avoid ambiguity

Create Accessible Headings in Microsoft Word Transcript

Go to your workbook and complete Step 2: Create Headings.