Strategies
Related Guidelines1: WCAG 1.3.1
Lists can make large chunks of text easier to read. Here are some strategies to help you make sure your list is accessible:
- Whenever possible, use the built-in list tool instead of creating a custom list.
- Be mindful of the types of bullets used within the list. When creating a secondary list within an established list, make sure to use a different bullet for the secondary list. This helps distinguish between the two.
Tip: Remember that copying and pasting lists from other documents or websites can result in messy formatting. Because of this, consider using the Paste and Match Style functionality when possible; e.g., paste by pressing Control + Shift + V (PC) or Option-Shift-Command-V (Mac).
Built-in List Tool
An example of a built-in list tool are the Bullets, Numbering, or Multilevel List icons in the Microsoft Word Ribbon.
Custom List
An example of a custom list is when someone indents the list items and then use a dash or a number for the bullet.
Some tools automatically switch to the built-in list tool if a person tries to create a custom list. However, not all tools have this feature yet.
Specific Tools
Google Docs
Here’s how to build a list in a Google Doc:
- Click the Bulleted list or Numbered list icon.
- Type the first item of the list, and then pres ENTER or RETURN to create a new bullet.
- If creating a list with multiple levels, use the TAB key to add an indented sub-bullet before typing.
Microsoft Word
Here’s how to build a list in a Microsoft Word document:
- Click the Bullets, Numbering, or Multilevel List icon.
- Type the first item of the list, and then press ENTER or RETURN to create a new bullet.
- If creating a Multilevel List, use the TAB key to add an indented sub-bullet before typing.
Tips
Accessibility Checker
Some programs can help you to search for and track accessibility errors. The following Microsoft products have an Accessibility Checker that generates a list of accessibility errors:
- Word
- Excel
- Outlook
- OneNote
- PowerPoint
Please note: While we encourage you to make use of accessibility checkers, this technology is not perfect and cannot flag all errors. Because of this, if possible, we recommend doing a manual review as well.
For more detailed information about the accessibility checker in Microsoft Word, see Microsoft’s Improve Accessibility with the Accessibility Checker.
Context
Why use lists?
Dividing up large chunks of text using headings, lists, and white space2 is key to making documents as readable as possible for all learners. Long dense paragraphs are difficult to read for everybody, but can be especially challenging for some learners.
What is the best way to create lists?
When possible, we recommend you use the icon and/or button in the editor to create lists instead of making your own, so that the list is distinguishable from the rest of the text to a screen reader3.
This is because in order for a screen reader to accurately describe the layout of a document to a learner, all page elements (e.g., headings, paragraphs, links, lists, images, tables, etc.) have to be properly labeled in the HTML. Lists created with built-in tools are more likely to have the correct HTML.