Using Word Heading Styles
What are Styles?
Styles in Word are really formatting instructions for different types of text within a document. By default, there are styles for items such as footnote text, list text, table headers and colors, “normal” body text and section headings (Headings 1-6 and beyond). The Headings styles in particular are used by screenreader users to jump to different sections much as the eyes do for sighted users.
Although headings styles are often some shade of blue by default, the instructions below will allow writers to modify styles to those they would prefer. In addition, using Styles in Word has other benefits.
Benefits to using Styles
Modifying “Styles” in a Word document is a good technique to use the formatting tools in Word, while creating more accessible content. Using Word Styles tools allows you to:
- to personalize and design your Word documents while using recommended styles such as Heading 1, Heading 2 and others.
- to easily create table of contents by finding and listing content based on styles
- to facilitate transition of content to other formats and preserve heading structure (e.g. export to a tagged PDF or to an InDesign template)
- to globally modify content by changing one Style setting. This includes modifications needed for a low vision student or a student with other reading/visual processing issues.