How do I apply headings to my Microsoft Word doc?

Headings help with general navigation and are a key component in creating accessible documents. Those who use screen readers commonly search and navigate a document based on its heading structure.

Headings that are created by simply enlarging words and making them a different color do not actually make them structurally a heading. So make sure you are using styles that are built into Microsoft word.

There are of course some quick rules for using headings:

  • Use at least one H1 – used as the title (The title style is not recognized by a screen reader!)
  • All H2’s should be subtopics to the main H1
  • Headings should not skip order. There should not be an H4 without an H3 first
  • Think of headings like using and building an outline.

Dont love the way the default headings look? You change em’

Video Overview of how to apply headings to a Microsoft word document

Need more Video walkthroughs? Check out The Accessibility Guy YouTube channel

Headings Navigation

When I start to apply headings to a document I always like to start by opening the navigation pane and then selecting the headings tab. On windows, this can be opened by pressing CNTRL + F on the keyboard.

Open up the navigation pane

The image above is a great example of how to use headings to build an outline for all of your content.

Text Overview on how to apply headings to a Microsoft word document

  1. Select some text
  2. Choose a style from the quick styles menu from the home tab
Select some text

Choose a style from the quick styles menu from the home tab

Go through the rest of the document and apply the styles throughout!

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