6. The document is missing a title (Minor)

Assess:

Some PDF documents in your course are missing a title in the file’s metadata. While the document may have a visible title, it lacks a formal title embedded in the document properties.

This metadata is what screen readers, browsers, and file systems use to identify and announce the document. Without it, users—especially those using assistive technologies—may only hear the file name, which is often unclear or unhelpful.

A PDF title is a more descriptive and meaningful version of the file name. PDF titles are often visible in the PDF window or tab. This visibility makes it easier to distinguish multiple PDFs before diving in.

Insight:

Why document titles matter:

Improves accessibility – Screen readers rely on the document title to introduce the file to users. Without it, the file may be announced by its name (e.g., “Document1.pdf”), which provides no context.

Enhances usability – A proper title helps students quickly identify the document’s purpose, especially when multiple files are open or downloaded.

Supports organization – Titles appear in search results, browser tabs, and bookmarks, making it easier for students to locate and return to course materials.

Reduces confusion – Clear, descriptive titles help all students—especially those with cognitive or visual impairments—understand what the document is about before opening it.

Modify:

To fix this issue using Canvas Ally:

Open the Accessibility Report from your course navigation menu.
Scroll to the list of issues and select “The document is missing a title.”
Click the Fuel Gauge/Score icon next to the flagged document. A new tab will open showing the document in question.
Follow the options from Ally’s guide to remediate the document.
Ally allows you to add the title to to the PDF directly within the instructor feedback panel. Enter the appropriate title and click the Apply Fix button.

Accessibility report showing a PDF without a title. It displays a 5% score and offers an option to set the PDF title to improve accessibility.

Below are some of the ways you can choose to remediate a PDF, Word Document, or PowerPoint to avoid this problem in the future.

Please note: If you're using PowerPoint 365 for Mac, note that it does not support tagged PDF creation. In this case, uploading the original PowerPoint file may be a better alternative than converting it to PDF.

PDF:

Open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Go to File > Document Properties
Under the tab Description, find the Title field.
Enter a clear, descriptive title (e.g., “Unit 2 Research Methods Overview”).
Save the document.

In Microsoft Word:

Open the document.
Go to File > Properties.
On the right-hand side, find the Title field under Properties.
Enter a clear, descriptive title (e.g., “Unit 2 – Research Methods Overview”).
Save the document.

In Microsoft PowerPoint:

Open the presentation.
Go to File > Properties.
Under Properties, locate the Summary tab Fill out the Title field and enter a meaningful title and click OK.
Save the presentation.

A.I.M for Accessibility In Mind...

What to Do:

Always set a descriptive title in the document properties before uploading.
Use titles that reflect the content – e.g., “Lecture 5 – Photosynthesis and Respiration” instead of “Document5.”
Check the title field when saving or exporting to PDF.

What to Avoid:

Don’t rely on file names alone – File names are often unclear or abbreviated.
Avoid generic titles like “Untitled” or “Lecture” – These don’t help students understand the document’s purpose.
Don’t skip the title field – Even if the title appears on the first page, it must also be set in the file’s metadata.

Additional Resources: