Others

Fix SharePoint Accessibility Assistant Missing Incorrect Heading Levels

Steve K Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to resolve an issue where the SharePoint Accessibility Assistant does not flag skipped heading levels as an error.

How to Fix SharePoint Accessibility Assistant Missing Incorrect Heading Levels

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Checking a SharePoint page for accessibility compliance using the built-in Accessibility Assistant.
Observed behavior: The Accessibility Assistant incorrectly reports valid headings even when the page structure skips a level, such as using an H1 directly followed by an H3.

Before you start

Verify that your page actually contains the skipped heading levels and identify your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator, as resolving this bug requires administrative support access.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Service Request via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Since the Accessibility Assistant lacks user settings to modify its checks, this bug must be reported directly to the Microsoft development team for investigation.

The reported behavior is not expected, as skipping from H1 to H3 creates an inaccessible heading hierarchy. Because the Accessibility Assistant is an independent feature with no customizable user controls, it requires a developer-side fix.

Identify your administrator

If you are not an administrator, contact your organization's IT department or Microsoft 365 administrator to report the issue to them.

Log in to the Admin Center

Have the administrator navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center and log in with their admin credentials.

Submit a service request

Open a new support ticket detailing that the SharePoint Accessibility Assistant fails to flag H1 to H3 heading skips. Be sure to attach any relevant diagnostic logs or page screenshots to help the development team investigate.

Admin Access Required: Standard users cannot submit service requests to Microsoft. You must coordinate with your IT administrator to file the report and provide the necessary logs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Perfectly Structured Documents with WPS Office

While managing web accessibility in SharePoint might require Microsoft support, creating well-structured, highly accessible documents is seamless in WPS Office. Switch to a lightweight, free alternative that makes managing heading hierarchies effortless.

Easily apply and verify heading levels (H1, H2, H3) with the intuitive Styles pane.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats to maintain structural integrity.Lightweight and fast, ensuring smooth performance on any device.Free to use with a familiar interface that requires zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is an H1 followed by an H3 considered an accessibility error?

Assistive technologies, such as screen readers, rely on a logical, sequential heading structure (H1, H2, H3) to help users navigate content. Skipping a heading level confuses these tools and makes it difficult for visually impaired users to understand the page hierarchy.

Can I manually adjust the checking rules in the SharePoint Accessibility Assistant?

No, the SharePoint Accessibility Assistant is currently a standalone feature that does not provide user-facing settings or controls to adjust, add, or bypass specific accessibility checks.

How do I collect diagnostic logs for a SharePoint issue?

Diagnostic logs are typically gathered by your Microsoft 365 administrator using network tracing tools or the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA). Your admin will handle attaching these logs when they submit the service request.

Office Quick Solutions