The main text of every Cochrane review contains fixed headings. These fixed headings are included as 'protected text', which cannot be deleted and is shown in blue.
Three other types of headings can be used:
Predefined recommended headings.
Suggested optional headings.
User-defined headings.
Headings are structured through heading levels, with Heading 1 being the highest level. This is reserved for the main section headings, such as Abstract and Discussion. A subheading should always be one level lower that the predefined heading of its parent section. For example, if you wish to add the optional heading "Adverse outcomes" under "Types of outcome measures", the heading should be added as a Heading 4, since the parent heading is at the Heading 3 level.
All recommended headings are predefined in RevMan and included when a new review is created. They are represented with special icons in the outline:
To remove a recommended heading
Right-click the heading and choose Deactivate Heading.
Note: Deactivating a heading will move any text in that section to the preceding section.
To activate a recommended heading
Locate the heading in the outline.
Right-click the heading and choose Activate Heading.
Note: You do not have to include any text between a section's fixed heading and its first recommended subheading. If you do not do so, RevMan will show a blank line after the fixed heading so that text can be included there at a later date. This blank line will not appear when the review is published.
Optional and user defined headings are added manually. The optional headings are described in the Handbook.
To add an optional or user-defined heading
Enter the heading text on a separate line.
Apply the relevant heading style using the pull-down list in the toolbar.
See also Main text.