Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# T3: Using standard text formatting conventions for headings

## Applicability

Plain text documents. Not applicable to technologies that contain markup.

This technique relates to:

- Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships)
  - How to Meet 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships)

## Description

The objective of this technique is to use text formatting conventions to convey the structure of the content. Headings are used to locate and label sections of a text document, showing the organization of the document.

The beginning of a heading is indicated by

- two blank lines preceding the heading

The end of a heading is indicated by

- a blank line following the heading

A blank line contains any number of non-printing characters, such as space or tab, followed by a new line.

## Examples

### Example 1

A paragraph is followed by two blank lines, then a heading, then one blank line, then another paragraph:

Example Code:

    ...this is the end of paragraph 1.

    The Text of the Heading

    This is the beginning of paragraph 2.

## Resources

No resources available for this technique.

## Related Techniques

(none currently listed)

## Tests

### Procedure

For each heading in the content:

1. Check that each heading is preceded by two blank lines

2. Check that each heading is followed by a blank line

3. Check that no heading contains any blank lines

### Expected Results

- All of the checks above are true.

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