Sentence Case for Headings in Technical Documentation
Sentence Case for Headings in Technical Documentation records Microsoft’s sentence-style heading convention and its proper-noun exception.
In Microsoft-style technical documentation, use sentence case for most headings: capitalize the first word and proper nouns, and lowercase the rest unless another rule applies.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
This is a Microsoft house-style rule; other style systems may require title case.
Further guidance
Content
Use sentence-style capitalization for most headings under Microsoft style.
Practical Application
For sentence-case technical headings, capitalize the first word and proper nouns, then keep ordinary following words lowercase unless grammar or the governing style requires otherwise. Apply the rule consistently across headings at the same level.
Purpose
Keep heading capitalization predictable and readable across documentation.
Reader Check
After the first word, is each remaining capital justified by a proper noun, product name, acronym, or another explicit style rule?
Worked Example
Use “Configure network access” in sentence case, not “Configure Network Access,” unless a governing style specifically requires title case.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Capitalization — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Microsoft technical-style guidance for sentence-style headings, acronym expansion capitalization and capitalization after colons