Tagging Headings and Paragraphs

Owned by Daniel LaGrow, created
Last updated: Dec 13, 2024
3 min read

Instructions

Section 5.14: Headings

Headings create a structural framework for the document, allowing users to navigate quickly between sections and gain an overview of the content by reviewing the headings.

Headings are marked using <H1>to <H6> tags, offering six levels of hierarchy similar to those in MS Word. Additionally, a general heading tag, <H>, is also available.

If you use the Reading Order Tool,

  1. Activate the Reading Order Tool.

  2. Draw a box around the heading.

  3. Choose the button that matches the desired heading level (1 to 6).

    A heading is highlighted with a pink border and the reading order tool is open. The 6 heading buttons are highlighted with a black border.

If you use the Tags Pane,

  1. Select the Selection Tool and highlight your heading.

  2. In the Accessibility Tags Pane, open the Options button and click on the Create Tag from Selection button.

    The four steps to create a heading tag with arrows pointing where to click

  3. Choose the appropriate tag from the dropdown menu (Heading Level 1 to Heading Level 6) and click OK.

Section 5.15: Paragraph Tags

Paragraphs are always within the headings tags. Paragraphs in your document will provide the content that the heading is based on. It is very important that the paragraphs are tagged and in the correct order for the screen reader. Otherwise the screen reader will jump from one paragraph to another and that would confuse the reader. If you have introductory paragraphs, abstracts, or text that is highlighted graphically (except for quotes) do not have specific tags and should be tagged as simple paragraphs.

If you use the Reading Order Tool,

  1. Open the Reading Order Tool and draw a box around the paragraph you want to tag.

  2. Click the Text/Paragraph button in the Reading Order Tool.

If you use the Accessibility Tags Pane,

  1. Click the Selection Tool and highlight the paragraph.

  2. Open the Options button in the Accessibility Tags Pane and select Create Tag from Selection.

  3. Select Paragraph from the drop-down and click OK.

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