Structure of Slides

On this page:

• Slide Layouts
• Tables
• Lists

Slide Layouts

Providing structure to documents is essential for assistive technology, but help all readers navigate your documents efficiently and understand relationships between topics.

Slide Titles

Ensure slides have a title placeholder (most default layouts do). Slides must have a “Click to add title” placeholder to create a properly coded title. Manually adding a text box and increasing the font size does not make a proper title. If you find many of your slides do not have title placeholders, review the slide masters and add title placeholders.

Ensure each slide has a descriptive, unique title. Effective titles help orient all users and provides structure to draw connections and enhance understanding. Titles allow all users to efficiently navigate your presentation.

For slides that contain media, such as a full-size image, chart, or other graphic or video, consider “hiding” the slide title.

To hide a slide title:

1. Move to the Accessibility tab.
2. Open the Slide Title menu and choose Add Hidden Slide Title.
   
3. Or click and drag an existing slide title out of the frame of the slide.

How to title a slide from Microsoft support.

If the information of a slide continues to a second slide, best practice is to name your slides “Example Title 1 of 2” and “Example Title 2 of 2.”

Slide Structure

Using textboxes as titles does not provide structure. Textboxes are read in the order they are added.

Reading Order

The reading order of slides is essential for screen reader and text to speech users. Ensure reading order matches visual order.

Check the reading order of each slide to ensure it will be read logically by assistive technology.

Avoid adding textboxes to slides for anything other than plain text. Instead, modify slide layouts and add proper placeholders.

To ensure accessible structure avoid invisible tables, text boxes, and repeated tabs, spaces, or returns. Instead:

• Create columns using Layout > Columns.
• Change spacing before and after paragraphs via Home > Line Spacing Options.
• Manually create a line break by pressing Shift and Enter.
• Of repeatedly pressing Enter, use Insert > Page Break.
• Of repeatedly pressing Tab or Spacebar, navigate to Home > Increase/Decrease Indent or use the indent markers on the horizontal ruler (View > Ruler).

Tables

Tables are useful for organizing data. Properly built and formatted tables are completely accessible.

Table Best Practices

• Tables must have a header and/or column row.
• A concise, descriptive table title helps with context and organization
• Do not use nested, merged, split, or unnecessary blank cells
• Ensure cells have adequate padding and margins
• Do not use coloured cells or text alone to indicate meaning
• Do not use tables with invisible borders to format layout
• Office accessibility checker does not note table errors
  • Click in the top left cell, then use the Tab key to see ensure your table reading order is logical and consistent

To insert a table in PowerPoint:

1. Insert tab
2. Table
3. Insert Table
4. Indicate number of columns and rows and press Ok
   1. You can add columns and rows later

Lists

Properly formatted lists organize information and makes your presentations accessible.

• Use bullet lists for unorganized lists
• Lists where the sequence is not important

1. Use numbered lists for items where sequence is important
2. Such as steps in a process

To create a list in PowerPoint:

1. On the Home tab
2. Select Bullets, Numbering, or Multilevel List
   1. The dropdowns accompanying each style offer more options and customization.

Lists can be converted to SmartArt. There are some additional steps to make SmartArt accessible.