Techniques
PowerPoint does not use semantic elements
- In PowerPoint, all text content is added into ‘shapes’; there is no way to specify the nature of the content in these shapes, for example, to communicate that a specific box is a level two heading, therefore clarity and concision is vital in PowerPoint documents.
- If your PowerPoint template is set up correctly, the main title box on the slide will be considered a heading and this will also be used for the slide title.
Videos
Example of bad practice
Not using the main title box on the slide for the heading.
![Powerpoint slide with the text "Page 1" in the main title box](https://universaldesign.ie/uploads/general/4-2-Use-the-main-title-box-as-a-heading-Pic-1.png)
This will result in the page title being ‘Page 1’
![Powerpoint outline view showing the slide title as "Page 1"](https://universaldesign.ie/uploads/general/4-2-Use-the-main-title-box-as-a-heading-Pic-2.png)
Example of good practice
Using the main title box on the slide for the heading.
![Powerpoint slide with the text "Use the main title box as a heading" in the main title box](https://universaldesign.ie/uploads/general/4-2-Use-the-main-title-box-as-a-heading-Pic-3.png)
This will result in the page title being correct.
![Powerpoint outline view showing the slide title as "Use the main title box as a heading"](https://universaldesign.ie/uploads/general/4-2-Use-the-main-title-box-as-a-heading-Pic-4-png.png)
References
WCAG 2.1
- 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)
EN 301 549 v 2.1.2
- 9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships
Further reading
- 5 most annoying website features I face as a blind person every single day
- WebAIM’s PowerPoint Accessibility