PowerMapper
PowerMapper
Nested headings Screen reader compatibility
HTML
Dec 12, 2023
Expected Result: causes problems in some screen readers
Actual Result: causes problems in 82 screen reader / browser combinations
For expected failures, the results show which AT combos the failures affect. Results are recorded from the user's viewpoint, so describe the user impact of authoring errors.
Code used for this test:
<h2><h3>Third level heading</h3> Second level heading</h2>
<p>Second level content</p>
Change History
Last updated: December 12, 2023
- NVDA with Chrome
Causes problems from
NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2023.3
- NVDA with IE
Causes problems from
NVDA 2012.1 to NVDA 2019.2
- NVDA with FF
Causes problems from
NVDA 2012.1 to NVDA 2023.3
- JAWS with Chrome
Causes problems from
JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
- JAWS with IE
Causes problems from
JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
- JAWS with FF
Causes problems from
JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
- VoiceOver macOS
Causes problems from
VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 13.6
- VoiceOver iOS
Causes problems from
VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 16.6
- WindowEyes with IE
Causes problems from
WindowEyes 8.4 to WindowEyes 9.2
- Dolphin with IE
Causes problems in
Dolphin SR 15.05
- SaToGo with IE
Causes problems in
SaToGo 3.4.96.0
| Screen reader | Browser | Mode | Notes | What the user hears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA 2023.3 | Chrome 120 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2023.3 | FF 115 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2023.3 | Edge 120 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2022.2 | Chrome 105 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2022.2 | FF 102 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2022.2 | Edge 105 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2021.2 | Chrome 94 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2021.2 | FF 91 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2021.2 | Edge 94 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2020.2 | Chrome 86 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2020.2 | FF 78 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2020.2 | Edge 92 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2019.2 | Chrome 79 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2019.2 | FF 68 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2019.2 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2018.4 | Chrome 73 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2018.4 | FF 60 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2018.4 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2017.3 | FF 60 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2017.3 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2016.2 | FF 48 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2016.2 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2015.2 | FF 41 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2015.2 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2014.1 | FF 29 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2014.1 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2012.1 | FF 29 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| NVDA 2012.1 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2023.2311.34 | Chrome 120 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2023.2311.34 | FF 115 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2023.2311.34 | Edge 120 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2022.2207.25 | Chrome 105 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2022.2207.25 | FF 102 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2022.2207.25 | Edge 105 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2021.2107.12 | Chrome 94 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2021.2107.12 | FF 91 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2021.2107.12 | Edge 94 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2020.2008.24 | Chrome 86 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2020.2008.24 | FF 78 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2020.2008.24 | Edge 92 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2019.1912.1 | Chrome 79 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2019.1912.1 | FF 68 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2019.1912.1 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2018.1811.2 | Chrome 73 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2018.1811.2 | FF 60 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 2018.1811.2 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 18.0.5038 | FF 52 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 18.0.5038 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 17.0.2619 | FF 48 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 17.0.2619 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 16.0.4350 | FF 41 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 16.0.4350 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 15.0.9023 | FF 29 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 15.0.9023 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 14.0.9002 | FF 29 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 14.0.9002 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 13.0.852 | FF 29 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| JAWS 13.0.852 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
| WindowEyes 9.2 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading 3, Third level heading |
| WindowEyes 8.4 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading 3, Third level heading |
| VoiceOver macOS 13.6 | Safari 16.6 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 12.5 | Safari 15.6 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 11.5 | Safari 15.0 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.15 | Safari 14.1 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.14 | Safari 13.0 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.13 | Safari 12.1 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.12 | Safari 10.1.2 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.11 | Safari 9.1.2 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.10 | Safari 9.0.1 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver macOS 10.9 | Safari 7.0.3 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver iOS 16.6 | Safari iOS 16.6 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 15.6 | Safari iOS 15.6 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 14.7 | Safari iOS 14.7 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 13.3 | Safari iOS 13.3 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 12.4 | Safari iOS 12.4 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 11.4 | Safari iOS 11.4 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 10.3 | Safari iOS 10.3 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 9.1 | Safari iOS 9.1 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3. |
| VoiceOver iOS 8.4 | Safari iOS 8.4 | Touch | Unlabeled heading 2 exposed, followed by level 3 heading. | Two, heading level 2. Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| VoiceOver iOS 7.1 | Safari iOS 7.1 | Touch | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading level 3, third level heading. |
| Dolphin SR 15.05 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Heading 3, third level heading. |
| SaToGo 3.4.96.0 | IE11 | Heading | Start of nested heading ends parent heading, outer heading text following inner heading is not exposed as a heading. | Third level heading, heading level 3 |
SortSite rules: AccHtmlNestedHeading
Test notes
All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.
Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:
- Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
- Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
- Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
- Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device
In the “What the user hears” column:
- Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
- Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
- Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
- (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear