Just because text looks big and bold on a page doesn’t mean a computer knows it’s a main heading. If a PDF skips or scrambles its heading levels, it acts like a book with chapters out of order, making it incredibly confusing for assistive tools to navigate.
Check out the quick guide below to learn how to properly organize your document’s layout!

What is a “Heading Structure Issue”?

• What This Means: The document’s hidden outline is out of order. Instead of starting with the main title at the very top (Heading 1), the file skips directly to a lower-level sub-heading. To a computer, the document structure feels broken right from the start.
• Why This Matters: Correct headings create a clear digital roadmap. Screen readers and other assistive technologies rely on this exact order to skim, skip, and comprehend how your lesson is organized. When headings are classified correctly, students using these tools can easily follow along without getting lost or confused by the content layout.

💡 Pro-Tip for Content Creators: The absolute easiest way to fix this is to stop it before it starts! Always use the built-in Styles menu (Heading 1, Heading 2) while typing your original file in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. When you export it as an accessible PDF, your perfect outline will automatically carry right over!