Select one of the list styles that refers to headings.Click on the ‘Multilevel List’ button in the ‘Paragraph’ section of the ‘Home’ tab.Apply different heading styles to your document for each level of heading.This will apply numbering to titles and subtitles whenever a ‘Heading’ style is used, thereby ensuring clear and consistent numbering for all headings in your document. If you want to use numbered headings, Microsoft Word’s multilevel list options are very useful. use ‘Heading 1’ for the main headings, then ‘Heading 2’ for the next level down, and ‘Heading 3’ for subsections, etc., being careful to apply each style consistently.

Once the correct heading styles show in the menu, select the text you want to format and apply each heading and subheading accordinglyBe sure to use different styles to distinguish between different ‘levels’ of heading, since the formatting style of chapter titles should be distinct from those used for section or subsection headings: e.g.

If the required ‘Style’ still isn’t visible, click ‘Options…’ in the side menu and make sure ‘All styles’ is selected under ‘Select Styles to Show’, then click OK.

If the required style is not visible in the ‘Styles’ tab, click the little arrow in the bottom right to open a side menu with further options.

Select the text you’re using as a heading and click on the appropriate ‘Heading’ style (e.g.

Go to the ‘Styles’ section of the ‘Home’ tab on the main ribbon.

Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! You can use these as you find them, but you may also need to change them to fit with any specific requirements for headings set out in your style guide.īut how should you use these headings? Like so: Microsoft Word actually comes with a number of default heading styles (named ‘Heading 1’ through to ‘Heading 9’). This will help your reader, particularly in longer essays, by clearly indicating where different sections begin and end. The ‘Headings’ styles in Microsoft Word are formatting options for making headings and subheadings stand out from the other text in your essay. (Photo: Slava Zaitsev)Īnd since a well-formatted document is vital for clarity as well as grabbing the reader’s attention, today we’re taking a look at how to apply heading styles in Microsoft Word. Having said that, dressing like this when meeting your tutor will ensure they remember you. But in the academic realm, you’ll win more points for applying clear and consistent heading styles in a document than for wearing a fancy outfit. Admittedly, this usually applies to fashion rather than formatting. Style is essential to making a strong first impression. How to Use Heading Styles in Microsoft Word

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