When to use (and not use) a heading
Advisory
The information on this page is only applicable if you're editing the University webpages using T4. It presumes that you have already completed the beginners and advanced level of the T4 training (a link for staff only - opens in new window).
Page contents
When to use a heading
As discussed, headings are used to introduce topics or sub-topics on a page.
When writing or editing the text beneath each heading, be sure you haven't drifted onto a new topic that should really be under a new heading; create one if you need to.
Sometimes it's not immediately obvious when a new heading is needed, or perhaps where one isn't strictly needed, but it would be useful to those using headings for navigation via assistive technology. The following are examples of these situations.
Using bold text to introduce a section
If you find that you're using bold text to introduce a list or paragraph, you should be using a heading instead.
Bold text should be used to emphasise specific content, not to introduce topics or sub-topics in place of a proper heading. (For more information on emphasis, see how to correctly emphasise text.)
Example
Evergreen trees
- Fir
- Pine
- Spruce
- Yew
In this example, 'Evergreen trees' should be a heading, not bold text.
Working with text punctuated by a colon
This depends on how the colon is used. If the colon is being used to make the preceding text into a label, then that text should really be a heading, even if that means rewording it slightly.
Example 1: the colon creates a label
'Group A: (some information for group A).'
In this example, the colon makes 'Group A' a label for the information that follows, so 'Group A' or 'Information for group A' should be a heading here.
Example 2: two joined clauses
'The reason was clear: there weren't enough elephants.'
In this example, the colon joins two related clauses. It's not creating a label, so this text is fine as it is.
Example 3: the colon introduces a list
If you plan to attend on Saturday, you will need:
- A packed lunch
- A waterproof jacket
- A whistle
Here, the colon introduces a list, so this is fine as it is. Depending on the context though, it could also be re-worked with a heading. This would be more useful to users of assistive technology, as it would enable them to jump directly to that heading, if reformatted as follows.
Items to bring if attending on Saturday
- A packed lunch
- A waterproof jacket
- A whistle
Example 4: presenting multiple blocks of content, where the introductory clause differs slightly each time
If you're in group A, you will need:
- A hat
- Two dice
- Food to share
If you're in group B, you will need:
- A scarf
- A paperclip
- Drink to share
In this example, the colon is used to introduce a list, and emphasis has been correctly used to highlight the difference in each case, so this is technically fine.
However, the lists would be better introduced by using headings, 'Items for Group A' and 'Items for Group B', because then someone using assistive technology could navigate directly to the list appropriate for them.
When not to use a heading
Tables
It's fine to use a heading to introduce a table, but do not format any of the table contents as a heading. Tables have their own automatic styling and, when properly constructed, their contents will automatically format appropriately.
Links
Don't make a heading into a link in whole or in part, and (to look at the same issue from another point of view), don't format a link as a heading just to make it stand out.
If you need to clarify any of the text in your heading – perhaps, for example, it contains a term that is explained elsewhere – you'll need to create a link to that explanation in the paragraph text beneath the heading, not in the heading itself.
