Format Content with the Rich Text Editor
Creating clear, well-structured content is key to an effective website. This guide provides the techniques you need to format text professionally in the Cascade CMS editor, ensuring your pages are not only visually polished but also accessible to all users.
On This Page:
Interactive Walkthrough
Instructions
1. Working with Text
(1) Paste Plain Text
When copying content from programs like Microsoft Word, unwanted formatting often comes along. To paste clean, unformatted text that will inherit your website's styles:
Via the Menu:
- In the menu bar, click "Edit".
- Click "Paste as text" to enable plain text mode.
- Repeat the steps to turn it off.
Via Keyboard Shortcuts:
Use the universal shortcut for plain text paste:
| Operating System | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows/Linux | Ctrl + Shift + v |
| MacOS | Cmd + Shift + v |
(2) Clear Formatting
To remove inline styles (like bold, italics, or font colors) from text already in the editor:
- Highlight the desired text
- Click the Format dropdown in the menubar
- Select "Clear formatting"
ℹ️Note: This action is smart—it removes manual styling but preserves the core structure like paragraphs and headings.
2. Working with Headings
Headings are the backbone of an accessible page. They help all users scan content quickly and allow screen reader users to navigate efficiently.
(1) Apply a Heading
- Highlight the text you want to use as a heading
- In the toolbar, click the "Formats" dropdown
- Hover over "Headings" and select the appropriate heading level (see best practics below)
(2) Remove a Heading (Revert to Paragraph)
- Highlight the heading text
- In the toolbar, click the "Formats" dropdown
- Hover over "Blocks" and select "Paragraph"
Best Practices
1. Structure with Headings Correctly
Following these guidelines will ensure your content is accessible, consistent, and user-friendly.
| Heading Level | Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|
Heading 1 |
Page title | |
Heading 2 |
Main content heading | |
Heading 3 |
Major sections | |
Heading 4 |
Major subsections | |
Heading 5 |
Minor sections, used sparingly | |
Heading 6 |
Minor subsections, used rarely |
2. Golden Rules of Headings:
- ✅ Do maintain a logical hierarchy. Think of it as an outline: an H3 should always follow an H2, and so on.
- ✅ Do use headings for structure, not just for visual effect. For example, use an H3 because you're starting a new sub-topic, not just because you want larger text.
- ✅ Do strip any existing formatting (bold, italics) from text before turning it into a heading.
- ❌ Never skip heading levels (e.g., jumping from an H2 directly to an H4). This creates a confusing experience for users with screen readers.
3. Emphasize Text Wisely
Bold and italics can help key points stand out, but use them with intention.
- Use Bold for strong emphasis on keywords or phrases.
- Use Italics for titles of works (e.g., books, journals) or foreign words.
Important Considerations:
- Screen Readers: By default, screen readers do not announce bold or italics. If the emphasis is critical to the meaning, rewrite the sentence to make your point through word choice.
- ❌ Avoid All Caps: Text in all capital letters is significantly harder to read for everyone, especially users with dyslexia, and screen readers may interpret them as acronyms.
- ❌ Avoid Underlines for Emphasis: On the web, underlined text is universally recognized as a hyperlink. Using underlines for anything else will confuse your users.
Additional Resources
Section 508: Accessibility Bytes No. 6: Document HeadingsNext: Insert a Link
Now that you can format text like a pro, learn how to connect users to relevant information both inside and outside the FHSU website.
For more information, see How to Edit Links