Headings

Use clear headings to help students navigate your content quickly.

Impact

Headings are like signposts in a document—they help organize the content and show how everything fits together. When used properly, headings create a clear outline that both people and screen readers can follow.

Imagine trying to find a specific topic in a long document without any headings. You would have to read everything from the top, word by word. That is frustrating, especially for students who need to go back and review something. But with headings, it is easy to jump straight to the section you need—just like using a table of contents or bookmarks.

So, using headings is not just about making things look nice—it is about making content easier to navigate for everyone.

How to

Think of headings like a phone menu. You know how you press 1 for English, then 2 for billing, and so on? Each choice leads you to more specific options. Headings work the same way—they help organize your content so people (and screen readers) can easily find what they need visually and programmatically.

Heading 1: The Page Title

This is the big title at the top of your Canvas page. You do not have to set this one—it is already built in. Just make sure it is clear and unique, so students do not get lost or go into the wrong section.

Heading 2: Main Topics

This is where your outline really starts. Use Heading 2 for the main sections of your content. You will find it in the Text Style dropdown in the Rich Content Editor. Only use it for actual section titles—not just to make text look bigger.

Heading 3: Subtopics

If your content has smaller sections under a main topic, use Heading 3. Not every page needs this, but it is great for breaking things down further. Again, only use it for subtopic titles—not for styling regular text.

Heading 4 and Beyond

Some pages might need even more levels, like Heading 4. Just make sure you follow the order—do not skip around just to change how the text looks. That can confuse screen readers and make your page harder to navigate.

Here is a quick example of how heading levels should flow:

Heading 1: Title
1. Heading 2: Main Topic 1
2. Heading 2: Main Topic 2
  1. Heading 3: Subtopic 1
  2. Heading 3: Subtopic 2
3. Heading 2: Main Topic 3
  1. Heading 3: Subtopic 1
  2. Heading 3: Subtopic 2
    1. Heading 4: Even More Detail 1
    2. Heading 4: Even More Detail 2
    3. Heading 4: Even More Detail 3

Best practices

Keep headings short and clear.
Do not use them for long paragraphs—just for labeling sections.
Do not fake headings by changing the font size, bolding, or using italics.
These might look like headings, but they will not work properly for screen readers or assistive tools.
Use real headings everywhere—in pages, announcements, assignments, discussions, and quizzes.
Basically, if you are using the Rich Content Editor in Canvas, make sure you are using proper headings.

Frequently asked questions

It is totally understandable to want your headings to "pop" more—but when it comes to accessibility, it is best to stick with the default heading styles provided by your platform.

People who use screen readers rely on those built-in heading styles to navigate your content. If you add extra styling (like bold fonts or colors) using the Rich Content Editor, it might look better to you—but it can actually make things harder for students with low vision.

These students often adjust the text on their screen—changing the font, size, or color—to make it easier to read. Their style requirements are as unique as their low vision impairments. But if you have added custom styles directly to the text, they may not be able to change the styles to meet their needs. That means your content could end up unreadable for them.

If you are using a platform that supports custom styling accessible themes (like Microsoft Word), you can safely change heading styles while keeping them accessible. But in most online platforms, it is best to use the built-in heading options as they are.

Additional guidance

You can learn more about providing proper headings and other text with the following accessibility guides:

- Headings
- Paragraphs
- Lists
- Tables
- Text