• Media Type Adobe Acrobat PDF > Page Structure
  • State Active
  • Advisory No

The title property is mandatory and must clearly identify the document. This property must be set in the meta stream under the dc:title property. When a title is not provided a title is provided that does not clearly identify the document users of assistive technology or users with cognitive impairments may not be able to quickly determine the identity of the document.

Compliant Example

A PDF document with a title set in the document properties (dc:title property in the meta
stream).

Non-Compliant Example

A PDF document with no title set in the document properties.

Ensure that the document contains an appropriate title by setting the title under File > Properties > Description > Title in Adobe Acrobat. Programmatically this can be set in the dc:title property of the meta stream.

Organization Standards

  • Section 508 and 255 (Revised 2017)
    • Chapter 3: Functional Performance Criteria
      • 302.1 Without Vision
  • WCAG 2.0 Level A
    • 2.4.2 Page Titled
  • WCAG 2.1 Level A
    • 2.4.2 Page Titled

Other Mapped Standards

  • § 508-1194.21 VA Testing Checklist - Software Applications and Operating Systems
    • (d) Information about a user interface element must be textually available
      • (d.6) Is a meaningful and descriptive title assigned to every window (including dialog boxes)?
  • § 508-1194.31 VA Testing Checklist - Web Functional performance criteria
    • (a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for assistive technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided.
      • (a.5) Are means provided for users to easily determine their location on a web site or within a web application?
        • (a.5.a) Are informative, context-sensitive means of determining page title provided?
  • § 508-1194.31 Functional performance criteria
    • (a) Ensure access for blind and visually impaired
  • BITV 2.0 (Priority I)
    • 2.4.2 Webseiten-Titel
  • HHS PDF 508 Checklist
    • Basic Elements
      • (7) Have PDF Document properties for Title, Author, Subject (AKA Description), Keywords, Language, and Copyright Status been applied per HHS guidance?
  • HHS PDF 508 Checklist (2014)
    • 1.0 Master Requirements for All Documents
      • (1.3) Have the Document Properties for Title, Author (an HHS OpDiv, StaffDiv, or Program Office---not an individual’s names), Subject (AKA Description), Keywords, and Language been filled out?
  • JIS X 8341-3: 2004 - Technical Standards Subpart 5
    • 5.2 (e) Provide appropriate titles for pages
  • WCAG 1.0 Priority 2
    • 13.2 Provide metadata for pages
  • WCAG 2.2 Level A
    • 2.4.2 Page Titled

  • Severity

    6 (yellow)
    in range of 1 to 10

  • Noticeability

    5 ()
    in range of 1 to 10

  • Tractability

    4 ()
    in range of 1 to 10