← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Applying heading and style conventions in a document

A built-in style you apply to main headings so they all look the same. Change the style once and every heading updates, keeping fonts consistent across the document.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Using digital tools and conventions — Module 10

Understanding Applying heading and style conventions in a document in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: Choosing Heading 1 from the Styles gallery applies the same formatting to every main heading, instead of formatting each one by hand. Modifying the style changes the font for all text using Heading 1 at once, so the document stays consistent. Using the same style for the same type of content keeps fonts matching throughout. Real heading styles add structure, so tools can make a table of contents and let readers jump between sections. The Title style is made for the document's name, so it looks the same in every document and is easy to find.

Common mistakes: A main heading should use the Heading 1 style, not Normal. With Normal it will not look like other headings and will not update when Heading 1 is changed. It should be apply(Heading1, "Why recycle?"). Setting the size by hand is manual formatting, so this heading can differ from the others. It should apply the style: apply(Heading1, "Our Goals").

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 87–99) and word search (Modules 87–124).

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Learning
Duo
You want every main heading in your report to look the same. What should you do?
Apply the Heading 1 style to each main headingChange the font size and colour on each heading by hand
Matches
Make heading bigger by selecting it and changing the size by hand
↓
Formatting a heading by hand does not apply a style, so it can look different from other headings and will not update when the style changes. Apply Heading 1 instead.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Heading 1 style
Meaning
A built-in style you apply to main headings so they all look the same. Change the style once and every heading updates, keeping fonts consistent across the document.
Practice
Title: Our School Garden
Testing
Gaps
Home > Styles >
Check Answer
Spots
1apply(Title, "Recycling Report")
2apply(Normal, "Why recycle?")

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Quick Questions

1. You want every main heading in your report to look the same. What should you do?
A. Change the font size and colour on each heading by hand
B. Apply the Heading 1 style to each main heading ✓
Built-in styles like Heading 1 give every main heading the same look, so the document stays consistent.
2. Which style is best for the name of your whole document, like 'Our School Garden Project'?
A. Title ✓
B. Normal
The Title style is made for the document's name. Normal is for ordinary body text.
3. True or false: if you change the Heading 1 style once, every Heading 1 in the document updates.
A. False
B. True ✓
Styles are linked to your text. Change the style once and all the headings using it update together.
4. Which paragraph should use the Normal style?
A. A regular paragraph of body text ✓
B. The main heading at the top of a section
Normal is the default style for body text. Main headings should use Heading 1.
5. You want to change the font for all headings in your document. Which is faster and keeps things consistent?
A. Edit the Heading 1 style once ✓
B. Select each heading and change its font one at a time
Editing the style once updates every heading, and no heading gets missed.

Match the Pairs

Title style → A built-in style used once at the top of a document for the name of the whole document
Normal style → The default built-in style used for the main body text so all paragraphs look the same
Apply a built-in style so every main heading looks and works the same way → Select heading text > Styles > Heading 1
Change a style once and every heading using it updates, keeping fonts consistent → Right-click Heading 1 > Modify > Font: Arial
Make heading bigger by selecting it and changing the size by hand → Formatting a heading by hand does not apply a style, so it can look different from other headings and will not update when the style changes. Apply Heading 1 instead.
Fix 10 headings one by one: Arial on 1, Times on 2, Calibri on 3 → Changing each heading separately wastes time and gives inconsistent fonts. Modify the Heading 1 style once so all headings update together.

Key Term

Heading 1 style
A built-in style you apply to main headings so they all look the same. Change the style once and every heading updates, keeping fonts consistent across the document.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Select the heading text Home > Styles > Heading 1
Hint: Type the built-in style name used for main headings.
2. Text: My Trip to Uluru Style: Title
Hint: Type the built-in style used for the name of the whole document.
3. Paragraph text: My class visited the park. Style: Normal
Hint: Type the default style used for ordinary body text.
4. Modify Heading 1: font = Arial Result: all Heading 1 text is now Arial
Hint: Type the word that says how many headings update when you change the style once.
5. Fonts stay consistent when you apply a built-in style to each heading
Hint: Type the word for the built-in set of formatting you apply to headings.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A apply(Title, "Recycling Report")
B apply(Normal, "Why recycle?")
C apply(Normal, "Less waste helps.")
Line B — A main heading should use the Heading 1 style, not Normal. With Normal it will not look like other headings and will not update when Heading 1 is changed. It should be apply(Heading1, "Why recycle?").
Question 2
A apply(Heading1, "Our Team")
B apply(Heading1, "Our Plan")
C set_size(18, "Our Goals")
Line C — Setting the size by hand is manual formatting, so this heading can differ from the others. It should apply the style: apply(Heading1, "Our Goals").
Question 3
A style Normal: font = Arial
B apply(Heading1, "Rules")
C apply(Heading1, "Scores")
Line A — The headings use Heading 1, so the change must be made to the Heading 1 style. Changing Normal does not update the headings. It should be style Heading1: font = Arial.
Question 4
A style Normal: font = Calibri
B style Heading1: font = Comic
C style Title: font = Calibri
Line B — Consistent fonts means the styles share the same font (or a matching pair). Comic makes the headings clash with the rest of the document. It should be font = Calibri.
Question 5
A select("Chapter 1")
B apply(Title)
C select("Dogs are loyal.")
D apply(Normal)
Line B — Title is only for the document's main title, used once. A chapter heading should use Heading 1, so the line should be apply(Heading1).

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