How do I use UDOIT to fix issues with headings?

UDOIT can be used to check for inaccessible page structure, such as improperly formatted or skipped headings. Depending on the type of heading issue found in a course, you may be able to update heading levels within UDOIT, or you may need to add headings directly in Canvas.

Note: Before April 24, 2026, UDOIT automatically added a file named udoit.json to courses to track accessibility fixes across copied content. UDOIT no longer uses this file, so courses scanned after this date will not include it. If the file is deleted from a course where it was added, it will not be restored. 

Go to UDOIT Accessibility Report.

Screenshot of link in menu.

Select UDOIT Accessibility Report from the Course Navigation Menu.

Select the UFIXIT tab.

Screenshot of the location of the tab.

Select the UFIXIT tab near the top of the page.

Scan your content. (Optional)

Screenshot displaying information and options for scanning.

The first time UDOIT is selected from the Course Navigation Menu, it will automatically scan course content. After 24 hours, UDOIT will scan new (previously unscanned) content when accessed again from within the course. You can view when the course content was last scanned and manually start a scan for added or edited content if desired by:

  1. Reviewing the last scanned date.
  2. Selecting Scan Now.

Filter issues.

Screenshot outlining the Filter button in the UDOIT interface.

Select the Filter button to open the collapsible Filters menu.

Filter by headings and structure.

Screenshot of the Filters menu.
  1. Scroll down on the Filters menu.
  2. From the Issue Types drop-down menu, select Page Headings.
  3. Select the Issue Types drop-down menu again, then Page Structure.
  4. Select the Issue Types drop-down menu again, then Styled Headings.

Note: After each issue type has been selected, it will appear underneath the Issue Types menu with a Remove Filter (X) icon.

Review the filtered issues.

Screenshot example of filtered issues in a table.

A table will display with the following columns:

  1. Status: Icons indicating suggestions or errors as follows:
    • A red exclamation point in a circle - An error that needs to be resolved
    • A blue italicized "i" - A suggestion that needs review
  2. Title: The title of the item where an issue has been found.
  3. Type: The content type where the issue was found, for example, a Discussion or Page.
  4. Issue: A brief summary of the potential accessibility issue.
  5. Review: Button to open the UFIXIT interface for the corresponding issue.

Select Review for the desired issue.

Remediate issues.

If styles were inappropriately used for document structure or heading levels have been skipped, these issues can be fixed within UDOIT. Other heading issues must fixed directly within Canvas.

Skip to the step to fix an issue in Canvas.

Avoid Using Styles for Document Structure.

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface as described below.

A UFIXIT window will pop up to allow you to review and address the accessibility issue. In this window:

  1. Select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue within the course.
  2. Choose from the available heading level options, for example, H2 for a section or H3 for a subsection.
    Tip: You can find more information about accessible heading structure in How do I make textual content accessible? (opens new window).
  3. Select the Save button when you have finished making changes.
  4. Alternatively, if you fixed the accessibility issue directly in another browser tab or window:
    • Select Manual Resolution checkbox.
    • Select the confirmation checkbox to indicate you fixed the issue.
  5. When you are finished making all changes, select:
    • Close to close the window,
    • Previous Issue to navigate to the previous item in the issue list,
    • Or Next Issue to navigate to the next item in the issue list.

Skip to the step to rescan course files.

Page contains skipped headings.

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface described below.

A UFIXIT window will pop up to allow you to review and address the accessibility issue. In this window:

  1. Select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue within the course.
  2. Incorrect heading levels will display with a bright red background and white text. For example, in the screenshot above, "H4" should be at a different heading level, so it appears in white text with a bright red background. Conversely, correct headings, such as "H3" in the screenshot, will appear in dark gray text on a light gray background. Use the Decrease heading level (left arrow) and Increase heading level (right arrow) buttons to adjust the levels as needed.
    Tip: You can find more information about accessible heading structure in How do I make textual content accessible? (opens new window).
  3. Select the Reset Headings button to revert any changes made to the heading levels.
  4. Select the Save button when you have finished making changes.
  5. Alternatively, if you fixed the accessibility issue directly in another browser tab or window:
    • Select Manual Resolution checkbox.
    • Select the confirmation checkbox to indicate you fixed the issue.
  6. When you are finished making all changes, select:
    • Close to close the window,
    • Previous Issue to navigate to the previous item in the issue list,
    • Or Next Issue to navigate to the next item in the issue list.

Skip to the step to rescan course files.

One or more heading elements do not contain text.

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface described below.

A UFIXIT window will pop up to allow you to review and address the accessibility issue. In this window:

  1. Select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue within the course.
  2. Enter a heading title in the New Heading Text text box.
    Tip: You can find more information about accessible heading structure in How do I make textual content accessible? (opens new window).
  3. Alternatively, select the Delete heading instead checkbox to remove the heading from the page.
  4. Select the Save button when you have finished making changes.
  5. Alternatively, if you fixed the accessibility issue directly in another browser tab or window:
    • Select Manual Resolution checkbox.
    • Select the confirmation checkbox to indicate you fixed the issue.
  6. When you are finished making all changes, select:
    • Close to close the window,
    • Previous Issue to navigate to the previous item in the issue list,
    • Or Next Issue to navigate to the next item in the issue list.

Skip to the step to rescan course files.

Fix a heading in Canvas.

If the UFIXIT window displays an issue type of Headings may be missing, headings will need to be added directly within Canvas.

Select the content issue link.

Screenshot of the UFIXIT interface outlining the link where the issues is located.

In the UFIXIT interface, select the link to the right of Found in: to open a new browser tab or window displaying the potential accessibility issue within the course.

Edit content.

Screenshot highlighting the Edit button on a page.

Select the Edit button.

Add heading text.

Screenshot of highlighted text in the Rich Content Editor.

Highlight the heading text to be reformatted with the appropriate heading level.

Format the heading.

In the Canvas Rich Content Editor, you can use either the Blocks or the Formats menu to add Heading 2 through Heading 4. If Heading 5 and/or Heading 6 are also needed, use the Formats menu to add them.

Skip to the step to use the Formats menu.

Edit headings with the Blocks menu.
Screenshot of the expanded Blocks menu.
  1. Select the Blocks menu. By default, the Blocks menu will show the text's current heading level, for example, Heading 2.
  2. Select the appropriate heading level to apply to the text. Tip: You can find more information about accessible heading structure in How do I make textual content accessible? (opens new window).

Skip to the step to rescan course files.

Edit headings with the Formats menu.
Screenshot of the expanded Formt menu.

To add a lower-level heading:

  1. From the editor's menu, select Format.
  2. Hover over or tab to Formats.
  3. Hover over or tab to Headings.
  4. Select the appropriate heading level.
    Tip: You can find more information about accessible heading structure in How do I make textual content accessible? (opens new window).

Note: After adding a heading, you can adjust the size of its text with the Font sizes menu. In particular, the default size of Heading 6 may be too small to read.

Rescan course files. (Optional)

Screenshot outlining the Scan Now button in UDOIT.

After revising content, you may select the Scan Now button in UDOIT to update the list of accessibility issues in the course.