formatting

Formatting is the arrangement and presentation of text and related content to improve readability and convey structure. It includes typographic choices such as font, size, and weight, as well as layout decisions like margins, line spacing, alignment, lists, headings, and captions. In many contexts, formatting also involves metadata and structural tagging that enable automated processing.

The main purposes are readability, navigability, consistency, and accessibility. Good formatting helps readers scan information, recognize hierarchy, and understand relationships between elements. It also supports accessibility by providing semantic structure and appropriate contrast and order for assistive technologies.

Formatting occurs in several domains. Document formatting in word processors governs styles, fonts, margins, and spacing. Page layout or desktop publishing controls grids, columns, and page flow for print. Typesetting emphasizes precise spacing and kerning. Web formatting relies on markup languages such as HTML for structure and CSS for presentation. For source code, formatting enforces indentation, line breaks, and spacing to reveal program structure.

Common elements include typography, spacing, alignment, lists, headings, tables, figures, and captions. Consistency is maintained with style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago) and with templates or themes in software. Separating content from presentation—structural markup versus styling—helps long-term reuse and accessibility.

Tools and standards vary by domain. CSS controls web presentation; HTML provides semantic structure; LaTeX and Markdown assist with typesetting and lightweight formatting. Code formatters and linters enforce style rules. Collaborative workflows often rely on templates, version control, and style guides to maintain uniform formatting across documents and projects.