Accessible PowerPoint (implementation guide)

6.1. Designation of headings

Titles are labelled exclusively with Arabic numerals ("1"), not with Roman numerals ("I").

What is meant by this?

In a list or in a title, only Arabic numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3) should be used for numbering and not Roman numerals (e.g. I, II, III).

Arabic numerals are the most common way of writing numbers today. Roman numerals, on the other hand, are a way of writing numbers that uses letters of the Latin alphabet to represent numbers.

Why is it important?

The use of Arabic numerals represents the international standard for the representation of numbers and is used for the communication and exchange of information in different countries and languages. The use of Roman numerals in headings can pose a challenge for some recipients and lead to comprehension difficulties. This represents a linguistic barrier. Screen readers and voice outputs also have problems with the correct pronunciation of Roman numerals, as these can represent both letters and numbers. For example, the screen reader may read out "V" (for 5) as the letter "V" instead of the number "5", which can lead to confusion or misunderstandings. This can be particularly problematic in more complex presentations where clear and accurate numbering is important to understand the content

How can I implement/check it?

To ensure that only Arabic numerals are used for numbering in lists or titles in PowerPoint, you can perform the following steps depending on the software:

For Mac:

1. Select the list or title you want to check.
2. Go to the "Start" tab in the menu bar at the top.
3. Locate the "Paragraph" group on the "Start" tab. In this group you will find the "Numbering" button with an arrow pointing downwards.
4. Click on the arrow next to the button. A drop-down menu is displayed.
5. In the drop-down menu that opens, click on the list of Arabic numbers.

For Windows:

1. Click on the "Start" tab in the menu bar.
2. Select the list or title you want to check.
3. Click on the "Numbering" icon in the "Paragraph" group.
4. In the drop-down menu that opens, click on the list of Arabic numbers.