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Avoid periods at the end of headings (EK00022)

Headings are labels, not sentences, so they read better without a terminal period across your documentation. EkLine flags a period at the end of a heading and suggests removing it (rule EK00022).

Why remove periods from headings in documentation?

Section titled “Why remove periods from headings in documentation?”

A trailing period turns a heading into something that looks like an unfinished sentence. Headings work as short labels that readers scan, and a period adds visual noise without adding meaning. Removing it keeps every heading on your page consistent and easier to skim.

EK00022 matches a period at the end of a heading and suggests the same heading without it.

  • Incorrect: Install the CLI.
  • Correct: Install the CLI
  • Incorrect: Configure your project.
  • Correct: Configure your project

Remove the period from the end of the heading. Keep the rest of the wording as it is.

No. A heading is a short label that readers scan, and a trailing period makes it look like an unfinished sentence.

EK00022 covers only a trailing period, while EK00023 covers any end punctuation, including question marks and colons.

PropertyValue
Rule IDEK00022
CategoryTitles and headings
Default severityWarning
Enabled by defaultNo

To keep a period in one heading, add an inline comment with a reason:

<!-- ekline-ignore-next-line EK00022 -- heading quotes a full sentence -->
## Read the notice "Back up your data first."

To disable the rule across your project, add it to the ignore list in your configuration file.

  • EK00023 — Avoid end punctuation in headings
  • EK00037 — Use sentence-style capitalization in headings