Alalaotsikot

Alalaotsikot is a term used in Finnish typography and document structuring to refer to the lowest level headings in a content hierarchy, typically used to organize long articles, manuals, and wikis.

Etymology and meaning: The term derives from ala- meaning "lower" or "sub" and otsikko meaning "heading" or "title." It is used in discussions about document structure to designate headings that are lower than standard subheadings. It is not a formal typographic label universally standardized, but appears in writing guides and wiki communities.

Usage and styling: In practice, alalaotsikot are typically styled with smaller font size and lighter weight than higher levels; numbering like 2.3.1 or bullet indentation is common. They help readers scan long texts and locate detailed information within a section. Accessibility considerations include maintaining sufficient color contrast and keeping the depth of headings within a reasonable limit, often 3–4 levels.

Examples: Structure example: 1 Introduction; 1.1 Background; 1.1.1 Data sources; 1.2 Methods; 2 Results. This illustrates how a document can extend a heading hierarchy beyond main sections to provide precise substructure.

See also: Otsikot; Alaotsikko; Outline; Hierarchical headings; Documentation.