Headings
The focused review format aims to standardize review reporting formats, and headings ensure consistency across all types of Cochrane reviews. For detailed guidance on subheadings by review type, see Warnings and errors for empty text sections by review type.
'Equity considerations' and 'Consumer involvement' sections
DTA, Methodology, Overview, QES, and Prognosis reviews include sections on 'equity considerations' and 'consumer involvement.' When completing these sections for protocols and reviews, authors should refer to the guidance available in the intervention review template for these sections.
Add or adjust a subheading
Additional subheadings can be added within sections. You can add nested headings at a level below the level of the current heading for most sections (heading level 2 and below). RevMan will display the available headings in the formatting toolbar, and you can select the heading level you would like to add there.
Flexible review format
This format only displays the Heading 1 (H1) level in the 'Text' section. Subheadings can be created using the formatting toolbar. See Add or adjust subheadings.
Authors of DTA, methodology, overview, QES or prognosis reviews for which the editorial process started before 17 November 2025, should continue to use the flexible heading format. If the submission deadline is before 4 May 2026, authors may continue to use the old subheadings or can decide to switch to the new subheadings.
Leave out headings that are not required
A heading will not be published if there is no text in the textbox directly below the heading. You will see a warning in the validation report if a section is left blank, but these will not block submission of the review.
However, in certain sections, text is required and you will see an error in the validation report if the section is left blank. See Warnings and errors for empty text sections by review type. Errors must be resolved before submission.