How to Add Headings in Google Docs
Learn how to add and format headings in Google Docs to structure your documents. Use heading styles for better organization, navigation, and automatic table of contents.
Quick Answer
To add a heading in Google Docs: Click on the text, then use the Styles dropdown in the toolbar (shows "Normal text") and select Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3.
Keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl + Alt + 1 for Heading 1 (Mac: Cmd + Option + 1)
Method 1: Using the Toolbar Styles Dropdown
The easiest way to add headings is using the Styles dropdown in the toolbar. This gives you quick access to all heading levels.
Click on the text
Place your cursor on the line you want to make a heading, or select the text.
Click the Styles dropdown
Find the dropdown in the toolbar that shows "Normal text" (or the current style). It is between the font name and font size.
Select a heading level
Choose from Title, Subtitle, Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, or other options. The text will immediately update.
| Style | Default Size | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 26pt | Document title at the top |
| Subtitle | 15pt | Secondary title or author info |
| Heading 1 | 20pt | Major sections |
| Heading 2 | 16pt | Sub-sections within H1 |
| Heading 3 | 14pt | Sub-sections within H2 |
| Normal text | 11pt | Regular paragraph text |
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to apply heading styles. Place your cursor on the line and use these shortcuts:
| Style | Windows / Chromebook | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Normal text | Ctrl + Alt + 0 | Cmd + Option + 0 |
| Heading 1 | Ctrl + Alt + 1 | Cmd + Option + 1 |
| Heading 2 | Ctrl + Alt + 2 | Cmd + Option + 2 |
| Heading 3 | Ctrl + Alt + 3 | Cmd + Option + 3 |
| Heading 4 | Ctrl + Alt + 4 | Cmd + Option + 4 |
| Heading 5 | Ctrl + Alt + 5 | Cmd + Option + 5 |
| Heading 6 | Ctrl + Alt + 6 | Cmd + Option + 6 |
How to Customize Heading Styles
You can customize the appearance of headings and save your changes as the default style for the document.
Update heading to match selection
- Format a heading with your desired font, size, color, etc.
- With the text selected, click the Styles dropdown
- Hover over the heading style (e.g., Heading 1)
- Click Update "Heading 1" to match
- All Heading 1 text in the document will update
Save as default styles
- After customizing your heading styles
- Go to Format > Paragraph styles > Options
- Click Save as my default styles
- New documents will use these heading styles
Using the Document Outline
Headings automatically appear in the document outline, making it easy to navigate long documents.
Show the document outline
Go to View > Show outline, or click the outline icon in the left sidebar (icon looks like a bulleted list). The outline panel will show all headings.
Navigate using the outline
Click any heading in the outline to jump directly to that section in your document. This is especially useful for long documents.
Create a Table of Contents
Go to Insert > Table of contents. Google Docs will automatically generate a table of contents based on your headings. Choose from plain text or linked format.
Tip: Refresh Table of Contents
After adding or changing headings, click on the table of contents and select the refresh icon to update it with your changes.
Add Headings on Mobile
You can add headings in the Google Docs mobile app on iPhone and Android.
iPhone / iPad
- Tap on the text you want to format
- Tap the Format icon (A with lines)
- Tap Style
- Select Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.
Android
- Tap on the text you want to format
- Tap the Format icon (A with lines)
- Tap Style
- Choose your heading level
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a heading in Google Docs?
Click on the text, then use the Styles dropdown in the toolbar (shows "Normal text") to select Heading 1, Heading 2, etc. Or use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Alt + 1 for Heading 1.
What is the keyboard shortcut for headings?
Press Ctrl + Alt + 1 (Windows) or Cmd + Option + 1 (Mac) for Heading 1. Replace the number with 2-6 for other heading levels. Use 0 to return to Normal text.
How many heading levels are available?
Google Docs supports 6 heading levels (Heading 1 through Heading 6), plus Title and Subtitle styles. Most documents only need Heading 1 through Heading 3.
How do I view the document outline?
Go to View > Show outline, or click the outline icon in the left sidebar. The outline displays all headings and lets you click to navigate to each section.
Can I customize heading styles?
Yes. Format a heading with your desired style, then click the Styles dropdown > hover over the heading name > click Update to match. To save for future documents, go to Format > Paragraph styles > Options > Save as my default styles.
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