Formatting Headings

OnStyle applies heading styles according to the rules in the active DocConfig. This ensures documents use consistent numbering, fonts, and structure. Available in both Essential and Professional editions .

Apply a heading style

1. Select the text.
2. On the OnStyle Ribbon, go to the Tools > Headings group.
3. Choose the appropriate heading level (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.).
4. OnStyle applies the heading style defined in the DocConfig, including numbering, font, and spacing.

Switch Headings

The Switch Headings tool allows you to convert heading styles between numbered and non-numbered formats across the document or within a selected section.

This ensures consistent heading formatting according to the active DocConfig.

Switch all headings in the document

1. Go to the OnStyle Ribbon.
2. Open Tools > Headings.
3. Select:
   • Switch to Numbered Headings, or
   • Switch to Non-Numbered Headings.

If no text is selected, all headings in the document are updated.

Switch headings in a selected section

1. Select the part of the document you want to modify.
2. Go to Tools > Headings.
3. Choose the desired switch option.

Only headings within the selection are converted.

The available heading style pairs (numbered / non-numbered) are defined in the active DocConfig.

Restore a heading style

If a heading was changed manually and no longer matches the DocConfig:

1. Select the heading text.
2. In the Tools > Headings group, select the correct heading level again.
3. OnStyle restores the formatting to the DocConfig standard.

Important

After changing heading styles or numbering, run Update Fields (OnStyle Ribbon > Tools > Update Fields) to refresh the Table of Contents and any cross-references.

Validation rules for headings

During validation, OnStyle checks headings for compliance. The following inspection modules may appear:

• Empty Heading – heading text is either empty or contains only whitespace characters
• Heading Whitespace – whitespace character before or after the heading text
• Heading Numbering Issue – heading numbering has been changed manually or is missing.
• Heading Out of Sequence – heading levels are not in logical order.
• Heading Link Not Set – a heading lacks the required hyperlink.
• Heading Hyperlink Target Mismatch – the hyperlink text does not match the heading text.
• Heading or Title with Break – headings or titles contain a page or section break.
• Standard Style Modified – the standard heading style has been altered.
• Missing Standard Style – a required standard heading style is missing from the document.

Tip

Always apply headings with the OnStyle tools. Manual formatting may cause validation issues.