Why Checking Accessibility for PowerPoint Headings is Good for All High-Stakes Presentations
- JD Solomon
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Headings in Microsoft PowerPoint provide the structure to guide business leaders and make your slides easier to follow. Accessible headings are essential for people with visual impairments. What’s more, your high-stakes presentation can quickly become confusing for the entire audience if headings are missing, duplicated, or poorly formatted.
Use PowerPoint’s Built-In Layouts
Avoid adding random text boxes for titles. Instead, use the title placeholders that come with each slide layout. Screen readers recognize these placeholders and ensure your slides are read in a clear, logical order.
Check Reading Order
What appears correctly on the screen may not be read accurately by assistive devices. In the “Arrange” or “Selection Pane” options, make sure the title appears first in the order. A simple adjustment here makes a big difference for accessibility.
Being Consistent with Fonts
Use a sans-serif font, such as Aptos, Arial, or Calibri, for all titles. Headings should be no smaller than 36 to 44-point fonts so they remain clear when projected or viewed on smaller devices.
Every Slide Needs a Unique Title
Even if multiple slides cover the same topic, slightly change the wording so users of screen readers can tell them apart. For example, instead of labeling several slides “Budget”, use “Budget – Revenues” and “Budget – Expenses.”
Accessible PowerPoint Headings for High-Stakes Presentations
By using placeholders, checking the reading order, keeping headings clear and consistent, and assigning a distinct title to each slide, you enhance accessibility. It’s not just about making your slides more accessible to the 10 to 25 percent of business leaders with visual impairments. Making Microsoft PowerPoint headings more accessible makes your slides more effective for the entire audience.
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